# NTSB MKC83LA142: Piper PA-25-235, N4838Y, Corning, IA, July 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1983, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Corning, IA
- Coordinates: 40.990093, -94.729461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9901&lon=-94.7295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA142

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil tubing - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A SWAMP DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE PILOT NOTED A LACK OF OIL PRESSURE AND RISING OIL TEMPERATURE. HE DUMPED HIS LOAD AND BEGAN TO RETURN TO LAND. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND SOON SEIZED. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION SHOWED THE #5 ROD BEARING FAILED DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. ALSO TWO EXTRA MAGNETO DRIVE CUSHIONS WERE FOUND IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL SUMP NEAR THE OIL PICKUP TUBE. THE ENGINE HAD OPERATED 290 HOURS SINCE THE LAST RECORDED MAGNETO MAINTENANCE BUT IT WAS NOT ESTABLISHED IF THIS WAS THE LAST TIME THEY WERE REMOVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4838Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4838Y), registered now, S/N 25-4634, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- 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: 25-4634
- Airframe hours: 1964
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: G & G Spray, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 17, 1982, 19 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 901 total, 500 in this make and model, 830 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19830702028029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830702028029A), Jul 2, 1983: Piper PA25235, Corning, IA, Destroyed. Lost oil pressure. Engine seized. Crash landed. Found 2 extra magneto drive cushions in oil sump near pickup tube.

## Other investigations on N4838Y (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 MKC70D0098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70D0098), Jul 8, 1969: Piper PA-25 (N4838Y), La Plata, MO, 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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