# NTSB MKC89LA035: Piper PA-28-160, N5875W, Crete, NE, December 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1988, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Crete, NE
- Coordinates: 40.619602, -96.950401 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6196&lon=-96.9504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA035

## 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
  - ignition system,magneto - disabled (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PVT PILOT SAID SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE COUGHED, SPUTTERED, THEN QUIT. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED ON A FARM FIELD WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT, SERIOUS INJURY TO THE PAX AND MINOR INJURIES TO THE PILOT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAGNETO DRIVE GEARS. A MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE BULLETIN THAT SPECIFIED REPLACEMENT OF THE NYLON DRIVE GEAR WITH A SINTERED IRON GEAR AT 2000 HOURS, OR THE FIRST OVERHAUL, HAD NOT BEEN COMPILED WITH. ENGINE RUNUP TESTS AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RUN ON THE RIGHT MAGNETO OR WHEN BOTH MAGNETOES WERE SELECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5875W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5875W-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 28-2544, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA28-2544
- Airframe hours: 2090
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Morris, Duane E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1988, 62 hours before
- Destination: 12K, SUPERIOR, NE
- Airport: runway 17, 3,600 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 347 total, 65 in this make and model, 307 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LNK, 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 19881208060449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881208060449A), Dec 8, 1988: Piper PA28160, Crete, NE, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Crash landed. Small nylon magneto drive gear and distributor gears were stripped. Worn out.

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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