# NTSB DEN85LA208: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N2232R, Clovis, NM, August 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1985, 21:23 local (Aug 1, 1985, 03:23 UTC)
- Place: Clovis, NM
- Coordinates: 34.409473, -103.19992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4095&lon=-103.1999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA208

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,piston - burned (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

WHILE IN LEVEL CRUISE FLIGHT AT 17,000 FT, PILOT NOTICED SOUND CHANGE IN CABIN. ALL INSTRUMENT READINGS WERE NORMAL WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE DROP FROM 32 TO 25 INCHES. ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND RUN ROUGH. OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT BLINKED AND OIL PRESSURE FELL. PILOT SAW FIRE AROUND COWL VENTS. OIL COVERED WINDSHIELD MADE FORWARD VISIBILITY IMPOSSIBLE. PILOT MADE SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING IN OPEN FIELD. ENGINE DISASSEMBLY REVEALED NO.2 FUEL NOZZLE FLOWING LEAN, NO. 2 PISTON BURNED, AND EVIDENCE OF CRANK SHAFT OIL STARVATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2232R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2232R-1988-12-02), registration cancelled 1988-12-02, S/N 28R7931075 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7931075
- Airframe hours: 3629
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TXIO-360-FBI 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wes Tex Aircraft,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 4, 1985, 90 hours before
- Departed: ALB, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CVN, Clovis Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 258 total, 26 in this make and model, 184 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CVS, 15 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850731035369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850731035369A), Jul 31, 1985: Piper PA28RT201T, Clovis, NM, Substantial damage. Improper leaning and carbon deposits led to preignition causing piston burn through and connecting rod failure.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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