# NTSB MIA95LA048: Piper PA-28-140, N41774, La Belle, FL, December 23, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 22, 1994, 21:50 local (Dec 23, 1994, 02:50 UTC) - Place: La Belle, FL - Coordinates: 26.639509, -81.339302 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6395&lon=-81.3393&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37714 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37714/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA048 ## Probable cause PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO TOTAL FAILURE OF THE NO. 3 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ALSO, UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING. ## 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) - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - bridge/overpass - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE FAILED FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS RESULTING IN THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A SECTION OF A BRIDGE. ## Factual narrative On December 22, 1994, about 2150 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N41774, registered to Aviation Enterprises Unlimited, Inc., was substantially damaged during a forced landing near La Belle, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated about 2055 from the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Ft Lauderdale, Florida. The pilot stated that during cruise flight, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. Attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful. Unable to maintain altitude he landed on a road and during the landing roll, the left wing of the airplane collided with a bridge. Examination of the engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve failed for undetermined reasons. The cylinder was overhauled on January 30, 1990, by the Harrison Engine Service, Inc., Work Order No. 8582. Scribed into the failed cylinder skirt was "11-89 HES 8582." Records from the overhaul facility were not available. Review of the airplane logbooks revealed that the airplane was last inspected in accordance with an annual inspection on December 9, 1994. Service Bulletin No. 388 dated May 13, 1992, which describes the procedures for checking the exhaust valve guide condition, requiring special tools, was not complied with. Compliance with the service bulletin is non-mandatory. The mechanic stated that he performed a general inspection for abnormal appearance and looseness. The engine had accumulated about 7 hours since the last annual inspection at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41774](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41774), registered now, S/N 28-7425285, 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: 28-7425285 - Airframe hours: 4115 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3H 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Flight Training Center - Registered owner: Aviation Enterprises Unlimited - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1994, 7 hours before - Departed: FXE, FT LAUDERDALE, FL - Destination: SRQ, SARASOTA, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 367 total, 101 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 160° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RSW, 22 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 19941222048309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941222048309A), Dec 22, 1994: Piper PA28140, Labelle, FL, Substantial damage. Partial power loss. Landed on road hit bridge. NR3 cylinder exhaust valve failed. Service bulletin not performed. 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.