# NTSB DEN88FA037: Piper PA-28-161, N2138J, Draper, UT, December 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1987, 18:58 local (Dec 15, 1987, 01:58 UTC)
- Place: Draper, UT
- Coordinates: 40.490406, -111.839202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4904&lon=-111.8392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17345/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA037

## 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
  - maintenance,installation - improper (cause)
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - loose (cause)
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - disengaged (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DRG A NGT FLT TO REPOSITION THE ACFT TO ITS HOME BASE, THE ENG LOST PWR AS THE PLT WAS CRUISING AT ABOUT 1000' AGL. HE TRANSMITTED A 'MAYDAY' CALL & MANEUVERED THE ACFT TO MAKE A FORCED LNDG ON AN INTERSTATE HIWAY. WHILE APCHG TO LND, THE ACFT STRUCK THE TOP (GROUND) WIRE OF A PWR LINE THAT CROSSED THE HIWAY IN THAT AREA. THE ACFT THEN FLIPPED OVER & FELL ON THE NORTHBOUND LANES OF THE HIWAY. A TEAR DOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE ACCESSORY DRIVE GEAR ATTACHING BOLT (PN: STD-847) HAD BACKED OUT, ALLOWING THE DRIVE GEAR TO LOOSEN. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF SYNCHRONIZATION OF VALVE & IGNITION TIMING. AN INCORRECTLY SIZED HELI-COIL, USED TO REPAIR THE GEAR ATTACHING THREADS, WAS FOUND INSTALLED IN THE CRANKSHAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2138J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2138J-1991-04-15), registration cancelled 1991-04-15, S/N 287916206 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287916206
- Airframe hours: 3393
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Alpine Aviation, doing business as Alpine Air
- Registered owner: Dennis & Beverly Bradshaw
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 23, 1987, 78 hours before
- Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Destination: PUV, PROVO, UT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 961 total, 123 in this make and model, 854 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLC, 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 19871214081969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871214081969A), Dec 14, 1987: Piper PA28161, Draper, UT, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Lost power. Struck wires trying to land on highway. Crashed inverted. Crank shaft accessory gear dowell pin sheared

## Other investigations on N2138J (1)

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 DEN80FTM21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FTM21), May 26, 1980: Piper PA-28 (N2138J), Nephi, UT, 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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