# NTSB MKC88LA114: Piper PA-28R-200, N4490T, Eldon, MO, June 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1988, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Eldon, MO
- Coordinates: 38.349617, -92.569412 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3496&lon=-92.5694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34591
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34591/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA114

## Probable cause

TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWERPLANT DUE TO AN OIL LINE RUPTURE, AND PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT NOT ATTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## 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 line - ruptured (cause)
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

DURING A BUSINESS, CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PRIVATE PILOT SAID THAT HE HEARD A POPPING NOISE FOLLOWED BY OIL APPEARING ON THE WINDSHEILD. SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, THEN QUIT. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED ON AN AIRPORT, BUT THE ACFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A FENCE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ABOUT 25 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BROKEN ENGINE OIL LINE WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND SUBSEQUENT TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4490T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4490T-1988-08-09), registration cancelled 1988-08-09, S/N 28R7235071 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7235071
- Airframe hours: 2526
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul W. Serfass
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1988, 17 hours before
- Departed: JEF, JEFFERSON CITY, MO
- Destination: H00, BENTONVILLE, AR
- Airport: H79, Eldon, runway 18, 3,195 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 79 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JEF, 25 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 19880621022479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880621022479A), Jun 21, 1988: Piper PA28R200, Eldon, MO, Substantial damage. Oil line to governor broke,engine threw a rod from lack of oil. Crashed short of runway.

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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