# NTSB FTW92LA138: Piper PA-25-260, N7354Z, Des Arc, AR, May 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1992, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Des Arc, AR
- Coordinates: 34.970611, -91.499229 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9706&lon=-91.4992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA138

## Probable cause

THE POWER LOSS DUE TO THE FAILED EXHAUST STACK RESULTANT FROM INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION.  FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE LANDING AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,stack - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT SMELLED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND RUN ROUGH.  THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY QUIT AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN A SOFT, ROUGH OPEN FIELD.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD AND THE GEAR COLLAPSED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT EXHAUST STACK HAD SEPARATED, BURNED AN ENGINE WIRE BUNDLE, AND SUBJECTED THE FUEL STRAINER TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. THE OPERATOR STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED THROUGH CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7354Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7354Z-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 25-3306, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-3306
- Airframe hours: 6860
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Mcconnaughhay, Kenneth W., doing business as Ken'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: Mcconnaughhay, Kenneth W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1992, 306 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 20 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 19920521015629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920521015629A), May 21, 1992: Piper PA25260, Des Arc, AR, Substantial damage. Smoke in cockpit and power loss. Landed hard collapsing gear broken exhaust stack burned wires and fuel filter bowl

## Other investigations on N7354Z (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 FTW69D0284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69D0284), Oct 20, 1968: Piper PA-25 (N7354Z), Smyer, TX, substantial damage

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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