# NTSB DFW08LA196: Piper PA-36-285, N57601, Petersburg, TX, July 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2008, 14:38 local (19:38 UTC) - Place: Petersburg, TX - Coordinates: 35.868331, -101.504997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8683&lon=-101.5050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Lubbock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68505 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68505/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA196 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to the substandard and incomplete maintenance of the engine. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance/inspections](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not serviced/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not serviced/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Other: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane experienced a partial power loss after takeoff, then crashed less than one mile southeast of the airport. A subsequent examination of the engine showed one magneto with a non-standard repair to a mounting lug; evidence of oil seepage in both magnetos; several spark plug electrodes excessively worn; a ruptured seal and oil seepage in the engine driven fuel pump; and corrosion, contaminants, and evidence of previous water contamination in several areas in the fuel system. Any of these discrepancies could have impacted the production of engine power. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2008, approximately 1430 central daylight time (CDT), a Piper PA-36-285, N57601, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain during a forced landing due to a partial loss of engine power on initial takeoff. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered and operated by Bertrand Spraying LLC. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight, which was originated at the time of the accident, departed an unregistered airport three miles east of Petersburg, Texas. The pilot reported he never got full power during takeoff roll and that he experienced an additional partial loss of power shortly after takeoff before crashing less than one mile southeast of the airport. The Part 137 Chief Supervisor was at the departure airport and observed the airplane stall just before it impacted on its nose and then came to rest upright. The operator reported that, at the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 3,415 hours total time, with an engine total time of 2,097 hours. The most recent annual inspection had been performed on May 15, 2008; the airplane had flown 103 hours since that inspection. The engine was removed from the airplane and examined on October 15, 2008. The throttle body "butterfly" valve had sooting consistent with back firing of the engine and was contaminated with an accumulation of impacted dirt. The top mounting lug on the left magneto was worn excessively and a non-standard piece of metal had been inserted as a spacer under the mounting lug. The left magneto had evidence of oil seepage within the magneto and there was evidence of oil in the area around the points in the right magneto. Several of the spark plug electrodes were "excessively worn" in accordance with industry guidelines. The engine driven fuel pump had a ruptured seal and oil contamination was found in the area between the accessory case and the fuel pump. Corrosion, contaminants, and evidence of previous water contamination were observed in the airframe fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel screen and flow divider. The wreckage was released to the owner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57601](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57601-2009-06-26), registration cancelled 2009-06-26, S/N 36-7560134, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-285 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 6-285-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-6-285-a) (registry code 17038, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36-7560134 - Airframe hours: 3415 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K165 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Bertrand Spraying LLC - Registered owner: Bertrand Spraying LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2008, 103 hours before - Departed: Petersburg, TX - Destination: Petersburg, TX - Airport: Petersburg - Bertrand Spraying ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 13, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 2,450 total, 545 in this make and model, 2,380 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 13 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KLBB, 20 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 20080721841139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080721841139A), Jul 21, 2008: Piper PA36285, Petersburg, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On July 21, 2008 at approximately 1438 CDT, N57601, a 1975 Piper pawnee brave, PA-36-285-300, operated by betrand spraying LLC (J3GG) made an emergency… ## Other investigations on N57601 (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 MKC76FCJ57](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCJ57), Jul 30, 1976: Piper PA-36 (N57601), Bertrand, NE, 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. --- 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.