# NTSB DEN90LA088: Piper PA-28-140, N5628U, Forsyth, MT, April 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1990, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Forsyth, MT
- Coordinates: 46.259639, -106.669174 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2596&lon=-106.6692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17915/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA088

## Probable cause

AN UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM A HAY FIELD WITH CALM WINDS. HE SAID THE ENGINE QUIT DURING INITIAL CLIMB, AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ACROSS AN OLD RAILROAD BED. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE PLANE CROSSED THE RAISED GRAVEL BED AND SHEARED THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR, THE NOSE GEAR AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE MOUNT AND FIREWALL. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT WATER IN THE FUEL HAD CAUSED THE ENGINE TO QUIT, BUT NO WATER WAS FOUND IN THE SYSTEM DURING THE INVESTIGATION. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN BY AN A&P MECHANIC FAILED TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED ENGINE STOPPAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5628U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5628U-2014-10-28), registration cancelled 2014-10-28, S/N 28-26424, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26424
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John & Donna Stanford
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 500 total, 500 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- 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 19900408007629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900408007629A), Apr 8, 1990: Piper PA28140, Forsyth, MT, Substantial damage. Reported engine quit on takeoff,crash landed. Engine ran normal on post accident test. No water in fuel.

## Other investigations on N5628U (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 NYC72DHA33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72DHA33), Feb 8, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N5628U), Clarks Summit, PA, 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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