# NTSB DEN87LA131: Piper PA-24-180, N8088P, Emerado, ND, May 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1987, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Emerado, ND
- Coordinates: 47.919792, -97.360343 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9198&lon=-97.3603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17230
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17230/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA131

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil line - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear down and locked - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT WAS EN ROUTE ON A PERSONAL FLT. THIRTEEN MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION, HE SMELLED OIL FUMES AND THE CABIN FILLED WITH OIL SMOKE. THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO. THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE, VENTILATED THE CABIN, AND DECLARED AN EMERGENCY TO THE DESTINATION TOWER, GFK, GIVING HIS LOCATION AND INTENTIONS. THE PLT SELECTED A PAVED COUNTY ROAD FOR THE FORCED LANDING. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE PLT SELECTED 'GEAR DOWN.' THE ACFT WAS TOO LOW TO COMPLETE THE GEAR EXTENSION AND AT TOUCHDOWN, THE GEAR COLLAPSED. A POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BROKEN OIL LINE WHICH HAD EMPTIED THE ENGINE OIL SUPPLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8088P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8088P-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 24-3336, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3336
- Airframe hours: 3100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert E. Absey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1986, 83 hours before
- Departed: 6D8, VALLEY CITY, ND
- Destination: GFK, GRAND FORKS, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,900 total, 800 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870522015799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870522015799A), May 22, 1987: Piper PA24, Emerado, ND, Substantial damage. Cabin filled with oil smoke. Oil pressure dropped to zero. Forced landing. Gear down too late. Gear collapsed.

## Other investigations on N8088P (2)

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.

- [NTSB CHI89LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA011), Oct 14, 1988: Piper PA-24-180 (N8088P), Alexandria, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE PLT BY FLYING WHILE PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, HIS IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, AND FUEL EXHAUSTION FROM HIS INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE LIGHT…
- [NTSB LAX75FUJ43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75FUJ43), Nov 16, 1974: Piper PA-24 (N8088P), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage

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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