# NTSB FTW85LA318: Piper PA-28-140, N9912W, May, TX, August 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1985, 13:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: May, TX
- Coordinates: 31.970167, -98.910522 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9702&lon=-98.9105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA318
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA318

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - daylight (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THE ENG RPM DROPPED TO 1500 DURING LEVEL CRUISE FLT AT 4200 FT MSL. HE COULD NOT REGAIN PWR. HE DIVERTED THE FLT AND ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE BROWNWOOD, TX, ARPT BUT DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A RUGGED, HEAVILY WOODED AREA. A SUBSEQUENT ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE STEM HAD SEPARATED. THE EXHAUST VALVE HEAD HEAVILY DAMAGED THE PISTON AND CYLINDER HEAD. REASON FOR THE VALVE STEM SEPARATION IS UNDETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9912W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23352
- Airframe hours: 2466
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Mcswain
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1985, 1 hours before
- Departed: SEP, STEPHENVILLE, TX
- Destination: 21XS, BIG SPRING, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 63 total, 38 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 97 °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 19850813070019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850813070019A), Aug 13, 1985: Piper PA28140, May, TX, Destroyed. Collided with trees during forced landing due to loss of power. Number 3 exhaust valve had broken.

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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