# NTSB DEN92LA080: Piper PA-25-235, N8635L, Karval, CO, August 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1992, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Karval, CO
- Coordinates: 38.729164, -103.529083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7292&lon=-103.5291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18229
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18229/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA080

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE INSTALLATION.  A FACTOR WAS: LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Analysis

WHILE IN LOW LEVEL CRUISE AFTER TAKEOFF ON A AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, A MECHANICAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED.  THE PILOT CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING ON A HILLSIDE IN MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN.  A POST IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT.  THE POWER LOSS WAS DUE TO LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER MAINTENANCE.

## 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
  - engine assembly,other - improper
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8635L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8635L-1992-12-15), registration cancelled 1992-12-15, S/N 255071 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-5071
- Airframe hours: 2385
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2L5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Neil James
- Registered owner: Neil James
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1992, 227 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,854 total, 1,315 in this make and model, 1,820 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19920803028799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920803028799A), Aug 3, 1992: Piper PA25235, Karval, CO, Destroyed. Engine lost power. Crashed and burned. Controllable prop changed to fixed. Failed drill hole in plug. Blew plug out.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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