# NTSB ERA23LA310: Piper PA-28-140, N98134, New London, NC, July 24, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 24, 2023, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: New London, NC - Coordinates: 35.416694, -80.150791 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4167&lon=-80.1508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192705 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA310 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192705/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192705 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA310 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to the No. 4 cylinder’s stuck exhaust valve. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot and flight instructor reported that the engine lost partial power after takeoff, when the airplane was climbing. The instructor assumed control of the airplane, attempted to restore power, and performed a forced landing. The airplane contacted trees and a powerline during the landing. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the exhaust valve in the No. 4 cylinder was stuck in the open position. Based on this finding, it is likely that the partial loss of engine power was the result of the No. 4 cylinder’s stuck exhaust valve. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 2023, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N98134, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near New London, North Carolina. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries and the student pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The instructional flight departed from Stanly County Airport (VUJ), Albemarle, North Carolina. According to the flight instructor, everything was normal and “in the green” during the preflight inspection, engine run-up and takeoff. During the subsequent climb, upon reaching 1,900 ft mean sea level, the engine rpm started to drop. The flight instructor immediately took control of the airplane and pitched for best glide speed while attempting to troubleshoot via the checklist, but was unable to regain full power. The engine power remained at 1,000 rpm while the propeller continued to rotate. The flight instructor attempted to return to VUJ; however, the airplane was descending too quickly, and he was unable to reach the airport. The instructor initiated a forced landing to a field that was bordered by trees. The airplane impacted the treetops, then struck electrical transmission wires and terrain before coming to rest on its nose partially inverted. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage and confirmed there was substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The right wing separated during impact and the fuel tanks were breached. The fuselage was crushed forward from the engine compartment into the cockpit. The airplane came to rest on its nose in an inverted attitude. The engine and propeller were partially canted upwards and aft into the cockpit instrument panel. The empennage was suspended by electrical transmission wires that were wrapped around the stabilator. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed that the engine crankcase was intact. The oil filter was opened revealing no foreign deposits or ferrous material. The oil appeared dark brown in color and all lubricated components appeared to be well lubricated. The fuel system was compromised during impact. The fuel selector was removed and tested yielding normal action through its rotation and indents. No blockages were observed in the fuel lines from the wings to the gascolator. During the engine continuity check, compression was obtained on cylinder Nos. 1, 2, and 3; no compression was obtained on No. 4. The No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve was stuck in the open position but became unstuck during manipulation. There was no thermal or impact damage noted to the left side of the engine. Additionally, the Nos. 3 and 4 spark plugs contained minor carbon build-up on the electrodes. The remainder of the spark plugs had normal coloration as compared to the Champion Aerospace AV-27 Check-A-Plug chart. The magnetos were mechanically manipulated with a drill and produced blue/purple spark at each of theposts. The 2-blade metal propeller blades showed evidence of minor chordwise scraping and one blade was bent uniformly aft mid span. The propeller remained attached to the flange and crankshaft and the propeller spinner was crushed inwards in a relatively flat pattern indicative of reduced power. No additional evidence was discovered to indicate a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane’s maintenance logs indicated that during the last annual inspection eight months before the accident, the engine passed a cylinder compression check, and all spark plugs were serviced. A week before the accident, the Nos. 1 and 3 pushrod seals were replaced, and leak tested, and a new left magneto was installed. At that time, the engine had a total operating time of 3,040 hours and the time since the last major overhaul was 847 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98134](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98134), registered now, S/N 28-26064 (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: 28-26064 - Year built: 1969 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 2023 - Departed: VUJ, Albemarle, NC - Airport: VUJ, Stanly County, runway 4R/22L, 5,499 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 21; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 672 total, 39 in this make and model, 615 as pilot in command, 232 in the last 90 days, 83 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 32; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 38 total, 3 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: VUJ - METAR: METAR KVUJ 242025Z AUTO 25004KT 10SM SCT037 31/21 A3012 RMK AO2 T03080205= ## 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 20230724012269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230724012269A), Jul 24, 2023: Piper PA-28-140, New London, NC, Destroyed. The aircraft had departed the Stanly County Airport on a local dual instruction flight. The aircraft was heading for the practice area north of the airport.… ## Other investigations on N98134 (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 NYC80DHA17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80DHA17), Jun 20, 1980: Piper PA-28 (N98134), Clifford, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 18, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192705. 48.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 and statement (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 5.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16081004&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20N98134%20and%20Attached%20Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16081110&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Inspector%20Statement_FAA-Rel.pdf - Examination report (item 3, PDF, 9 pages, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17517424&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Report_N98134_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance logbooks excerpt_engine (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 11.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17518105&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N98134%20Engine%20Logbooks_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance logbook excerpt_airframe (item 5, PDF, 8 pages, 24.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17518807&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N98134%20Airframe%20logbooks_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 6, PDF, 6 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17518797&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20and%20Damage%20Photographs_N98134-Rel.pdf - Wreckage release (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17517139&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Retention%20and%20Release%20Form_Piper_N98134_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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.