# NTSB DEN90DQA03: Piper PA-25-235, N7178Z, Fabens, TX, August 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1990, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Fabens, TX
- Coordinates: 31.500686, -106.149528 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5007&lon=-106.1495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17793
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90DQA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17793/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90DQA03

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SHORTING OF THE MAGNETO'S 'P' LEAD, AND FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

## 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
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - failure,total (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto grounding lead (p-lead) - shorted (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING LOW LEVEL CRUISE FLIGHT, RETURNING FROM AERIAL APPLICATION, THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED CAUSING EXHAUST GASES TO BURN THROUGH THE MAGNETO'S 'P' LEAD. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7178Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7178Z-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 25-3050, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-235
- Airframe hours: 3205
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2/B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Curtis L. Hemme, doing business as Eagle Ag Service
- Registered owner: Curtis L Hemme
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1990, 70 hours before
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,490 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 10,490 as pilot in command, 800 in the last 90 days, 312 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900815033059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900815033059A), Aug 15, 1990: Piper PA25235, Mcnary, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit while returning to base,crash landed. Left exhaust manifold had failed. Hot exhaust burned mag p leads.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.