# NTSB MKC87FA161: Piper PA-22-150, N5831D, Solon Springs, WI, August 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1987, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Solon Springs, WI
- Coordinates: 46.339248, -91.820434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3392&lon=-91.8204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34299
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34299/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA161

## 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
  - maintenance - improper, company/operator management (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,bearing - overtemperature (cause)
  - engine assembly,bearing - seized (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE SURVIVING PAX RPRTD THAT DRG INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG SUDDENLY STOPPED & DID NOT RESPOND TO ATMTS OF A RESTART. THE PLT TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RWY. THE ACFT IMPACTED LARGE TREES IN A WOODED AREA, THEN CRASHED TO THE GND & BURNED APRX 1/2 MI FM THE ARPT. AN ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED THE CENTER CRANKSHAFT BEARING HAD SEIZED. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE ENG CASE IN THE VCNTY OF THE BEARING'S OIL ACCESS PORT. ALSO, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT OIL HAD PARTIALLY BYPASSED THE BEARING & FLOWED INTO THE CASE. AN ACQUAINTANCE STATED THAT ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION, THE ENG SEIZED WHILE THE ACFT WAS BEING TAXIED. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE PLT ADDED OIL TO THE ENG, ROTATED THE PROP, RESTARTED THE ENG, THEN FLEW THE ACFT FREQUENTLY, THEREAFTER. ACQUAINTANCES ALSO SAID THE PLT HAD OVERHAULED THE ENG IN MID 1986, ALTHOUGH HE WAS NOT CERTIFIED AS A MECHANIC. ALSO, THE ACFT HAD BEEN MODIFIED IAW STC SA45RM; HOWEVER, NO RECORD WAS FND CONCERNING THE OVERHAUL OR MOD. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.07%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5831D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5831D-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 22-4506, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 224506
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howard M.Nelson
- Registered owner: Howard M Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3D9
- Destination: SHELL LAKE, WI
- Airport: 3D9, Solon Springs Muni, runway 19, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 276 total, 260 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

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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