# NTSB FTW90LA055: Piper PA-32R-301T, N8128B, Liberty, TX, January 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1990, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Liberty, TX
- Coordinates: 30.039281, -94.789451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0393&lon=-94.7895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23095
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23095/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA055

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FAILURE OF THE TAPPET FACES. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE.

## 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 - normal
  - engine assembly,rocker arm/tappet - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Gear not extended, landing
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 3500 FEET, THE AIRCRAFT YAWED VIOLENTLY LEFT, FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE SHUTDOWN. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A INFLIGHT ENGINE RESTART WITHOUT SUCCESS. LANDING WAS MADE TO A PASTURE WITH THE GEAR UP DUE TO THE SUSPECTED WET GROUND CONDITIONS. DURING THE GROUND RUN, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FENCE ROW, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE VIOLENT YAW AND ENGINE SHUTDOWN WAS THE RESULT OF THE TAPPET FACE FAILURES. EXAMINATION OF THE FACES DID NOT DETERMINE THE FAILURE MODE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8128B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8128B), registered now, S/N 32R-8029018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R8029018
- Airframe hours: 1050
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Conrad Magauirk
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1990, 24 hours before
- Departed: RNJ, BAYTOWN, TX
- Destination: HNO, HENDERSON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 500 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 40 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 19900114000579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900114000579A), Jan 14, 1990: Piper PA32R301T, Liberty, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Landed gear up in soft field and slid into a fence. Intake tappet body faces failed.

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.