# NTSB FTW90LA071: Piper PA-28-140, N1785T, Rayne, LA, February 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1990, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Rayne, LA
- Coordinates: 30.229413, -92.259231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2294&lon=-92.2592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA071

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE, WHICH NECESSITATED A FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## 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,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED, WHEN IT STRUCK A DIKE AND THE GROUND DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 500 FEET ON A PIPELINE PATROL FLIGHT, THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH & THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT SUSTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE THE FORCED LANDING IN A RICE FIELD. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED AND WAS INGESTED, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE PISTON AND CYLINDER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE VALVE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1785T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1785T-2013-11-08), registration cancelled 2013-11-08, S/N 28-7125100, built 1970 (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: 28-7125100
- Airframe hours: 4338
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Scan, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: NONE, PRAIRIEVILLE, LA
- Destination: MOUNT BELVIEU, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,547 total, 1,253 in this make and model, 2,320 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 19 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT, 8 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 19900213002089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900213002089A), Feb 13, 1990: Piper PA28140, Rayne, LA, Substantial damage. Engine swallowed a valve damaging a cylinder during pipeline patrol. Forced down in rice field and hit a dike.

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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