# NTSB DEN86LA166: Piper PA-36, N3856E, Onida, SD, June 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1986, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Onida, SD
- Coordinates: 44.70092, -100.059616 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7009&lon=-100.0596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16984
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16984/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA166

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff
  - ignition system,magneto - arcing (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - bent (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED A PARTIAL LOSS OF PWR OCCURRED MOMENTARILY BEFORE LIFTOFF. THE TAKEOFF WAS CONTINUED AND ONCE AIRBORNE THE PWR LOSS REOCCURRED. THE LOAD WAS DUMPED, HOWEVER, THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES APRX 1 MILE FROM THE ARPT AS SUFFICIENT ALT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE #2 AND #8 CYLINDER INTAKE VALVES WERE TULIPED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE #2, #6 AND #8 OUTLET TOWER BLOCKS ON THE MAGNETO WERE CROSSFIRING WHICH RESULTED IN PRE-IGNITION TO THOSE CYLINDERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3856E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3856E-1990-07-23), registration cancelled 1990-07-23, S/N 367802026 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-780202
- Airframe hours: 2321
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Brett F. Barber
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1986, 234 hours before
- Departed: 98D, ONIDA, SD
- Airport: 98D, Onida, runway 12, 2,350 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,561 total, 904 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIR, 30 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 19860619026679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860619026679A), Jun 19, 1986: Piper PA36375, Onida, SD, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Unable to maintain flight and struck trees. Found magneto was cross firing.

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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