# NTSB FTW83LA266: Piper PA-36-285, N57751, Anson, TX, June 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1983, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Anson, TX
- Coordinates: 32.750648, -99.890396 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7506&lon=-99.8904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20923
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA266
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20923/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA266

## 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, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - other (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, WHILE IN FLT, THE ENG WAS RUNNING SMOOTH, BUT SEEMED TO LACK POWER. HE CHECKED THE INSTRUMENTS & NOTED THAT THE MANIFOLD PRESSURE & ENG RPM WERE NORMAL. THEN WHILE AT APRX 60 FT AGL, ALL POWER WAS LOST. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED ON ROLLING TERRAIN. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS NEAR ITS MAX WT LIMIT & THAT THE PLT DID NOT JETTISON HIS LOAD. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE #1 EXHAUST VALVE ROCKER SHAFT COVER WAS MISSING. THE RESPECTIVE SHAFT HAD COME OUT & ALLOWED THE ROCKER ARM TO COME LOOSE. ALSO, THE TOP RINGS ON THE #1 & #4 CYLINDER WERE FOUND TO BE BROKEN. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THESE HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. ADDITIONALLY, OIL WAS FOUND ON THE AIR SIDE OF THE FUEL CONTROL MANIFOLD. THE ENG HAD ONLY 43 HRS FLT TIME SINCE MAJOR OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57751](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57751), registered now, S/N 36-7660058, built 1976 (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: 36-7660058
- Airframe hours: 822
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Malcolm Woodard
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 18, 1983, 41 hours before
- Departed: ANSON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,336 total, 450 in this make and model, 4,284 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABI

## 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 19830604022769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830604022769A), Jun 4, 1983: Piper PA36285, Anson, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed after engine failed during aerial application operation.

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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