# NTSB FTW92LA220: Piper PA-28-140, N32677, Sallisaw, OK, September 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1992, 22:00 local (Sep 5, 1992, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Sallisaw, OK
- Coordinates: 35.45988, -94.799934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4599&lon=-94.7999&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 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 81-18-04 R2](https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-18-04-R2) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18563/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA220

## Probable cause

TOTAL LOSS OF POWER FROM A SEIZED OIL PUMP AND RESULTING OIL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE. FACTORS WERE THE NONCOMPLIANCE WITH AN ENGINE SERVICE BULLETIN AND THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION.

## 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
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - seized (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not performed, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD LEVELED THE AIRPLANE OFF FOR CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE'S RPM DROPPED TO APPROXIMATELY 1,500 AND THE OIL PRESSURE WENT TO '0 PSI.' A SHORT TIME LATER, THE ENGINE VIBRATED AND SEIZED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE AIRPLANE DURING THE FORCED LANDING TO A NEARBY GRASS AIRSTRIP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY IT DUE TO THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION. DURING THE DESCENT INTO WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE AIRSTRIP, THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE TOP OF A TREE. THE PILOT MAINTAINED CONTROL AND LANDED IN A BEAN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE HIGH VEGETATION AND COLLAPSED. THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER. ENGINE DISASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT THE OIL SUPPLY HAD BEEN INTERRUPTED BY THE FAILURE OF THE 78532 OIL PUMP DRIVEN IMPELLER. THIS LOSS OF LUBRICATION RESULTED IN THE ENGINE SUSTAINING SEVERE DAMAGE TO ITS ROTATING AND RECIPROCATING COMPONENTS. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE'S RECORDS INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE BULLETIN #456 HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH AS OUTLINED IN AD 81-18-04R2, PARAGRAPH C, WHICH REQUIRED THE REMOVAL OF THE 'SINTERED' IRON IMPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32677](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32677-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 28-7525096, built 1974 (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: 28-7525096
- Airframe hours: 4274
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Glenn, Troy
- Registered owner: Glenn, Troy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 1991, 37 hours before
- Destination: RKR, POTEAU, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 468 total, 34 in this make and model, 348 as pilot in command, 173 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920904035419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920904035419A), Sep 4, 1992: Piper PA28140, Sallisaw, OK, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Engine seized. Night landing. Nosed over. Oil pump 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.

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