# NTSB MKC89LA058: Piper PA-28-181, N47431, Goodland, KS, January 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1989, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Goodland, KS
- Coordinates: 39.340667, -101.699493 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3407&lon=-101.6995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA058

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RESULTING FROM AN EXHAUST VALVE FAILURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## 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
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN A FARM FIELD WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE NOSE GEAR, FIREWALL AND PROPELLER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN EXHAUST VALVE FAILURE IN THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47431](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47431), registered now, S/N 28-7890071, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7890071
- Airframe hours: 1701
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Croots Aircraft Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 11, 1988, 96 hours before
- Departed: GCK, GARDEN CITY, KS
- Destination: 7V5, BRUSH, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 20 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLD, 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 19890127001349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890127001349A), Jan 27, 1989: Piper PA28181, Goodland, KS, Substantial damage. Engine failed en route. Crash landed in a farm field. Exhaust valve failure in nr 3 cylinder.

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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