# NTSB MIA98LA082: Piper PA-28-140, N3965K, Graniteville, SC, February 20, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 20, 1998, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Graniteville, SC - Coordinates: 33.490974, -81.759483 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4910&lon=-81.7595&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38459 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38459/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA082 ## Probable cause failure of the number three exhaust valve, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. Related factors were: the obstructions (earthen embankment and fence) in the emergency (forced) landing area. ## Analysis The pilot took off on a flight to return the aircraft to his home field after having had maintenance performed on the fuel system. During the initial climb after takeoff, a loss of engine power occurred. Emergency procedure for loss of power was accomplished with negative results, and a turn to the nearest field was begun. During the forced landing, the aircraft overflew the pilot's intended point of touchdown and collided with an earthen embankment and a barbed-wire fence. Subsequent teardown examination of the engine by FAA personnel revealed a broken exhaust valve in the number three cylinder. According to an FAA report, about 30 percent of the valve face was missing. The previous annual inspection was completed on 6/6/97; flight time since overhaul of the engine was reported as 1920.1 hours. ## Factual narrative On February 20, 1998, about 1115 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N3965K, registered to an individual, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff from Twin Lakes Airport, Graniteville, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage, and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated about 4 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated that he was returning the airplane to his home field at Aiken Municipal Airport, South Carolina, having had maintenance performed on the gascolator, primer, and fuel selector by an A&P mechanic. Climbing through 400 feet agl, the engine began to run rough and lose power. The pilot felt his only option was a forced landing to a grass field. His final approach carried him further than his intended touchdown point, and he collided with an earth embankment and fence posts, shearing the landing gear, bending the propeller, both wing spars, and the engine mount. Subsequent teardown examination of the engine by FAA personnel revealed a broken exhaust valve in the number three cylinder. According to the FAA report, about 30 percent of the valve face was missing. The engine had undergone an annual inspection on June 6, 1997, and time since overhaul on the engine was reported as 1920.1 hours by the pilot. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - fractured (cause) - Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - grass - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - fence post (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3965K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3965K-2000-04-12), registration cancelled 2000-04-12, S/N 28-23848 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-23848 - Airframe hours: 4216 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Henry H. King Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1997, 51 hours before - Departed: SC42, SC - Destination: AIK, AIKEN, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 122 total, 82 in this make and model, 69 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AGS, 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 19980220001589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980220001589A), Feb 20, 1998: Piper PA28140, Graniteville, SC, Substantial damage. (.4) On February 20, 1998, about 1115 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N3965K, registered to an individual, operating as a 14 CFR part 91 personal… ## Other investigations on N3965K (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 FTW78FQG39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FQG39), Jun 29, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N3965K), Plainview, 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. --- 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.