# NTSB MKC89LA152: Piper PA-32-300, N4175R, Excelsor Sprgs, MO, July 4, 1989 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1989, 05:00 local (10:00 UTC) - Place: Excelsor Sprgs, MO - Coordinates: 39.350673, -94.230598 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3507&lon=-94.2306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 34826 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34826/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA152 ## Probable cause THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE AND THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING ROLL. IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS, AND RESTRICTED VISIBILITY DUE TO OIL ON THE WINDSCREEN WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. ## 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, descent - normal - powerplant - failure,total (cause) - maintenance,inspection - not performed (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PLT HAD DEPARTED THE DUPAGE ARPT, CHICAGO, IL ENROUTE TO KANSAS CITY DTWN ARPT. DURING DESCENT FROM CRZ ALTITUDE THE PLT SAID OIL COVERED THE WINDSCREEN AND ENGINE POWER WAS LOST. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A NIGHT FORCED LANDING AT AN AIRPORT LOCATED ABOUT 45 MILES NORTHEAST OF THE DESTINATION. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT WAS LOST DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE ACFT CAREENED OFF THE HARD SURFACED RWY INTO ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN WHICH TORE A WING FROM ITS ATTACH POINT. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ACFT AND ITS RECORDS SHOWED THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY INSPECTED AND WAS NOT AIRWORTHY FOR THIS FLIGHT. THE ENGINE FAILED IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE A FAILURE INDICATIVE OF A CONNECTING ROD, ROD END OR ROD BOLT FAILURE WITH A RESULTANT HOLE IN THE ENGINE CASE. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4175R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4175R-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 32-40498, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-40498 - Airframe hours: 4899 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David E. Gardner - Registered owner: B.L. Schooley Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 1989, 50 hours before - Departed: DPA, CHICAGO, IL - Destination: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 3EX, Excelsior Spgs, runway 19, 2,005 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 58 in this make and model, 5,800 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19890704022319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890704022319A), Jul 4, 1989: Piper PA32300, Excelsior, MO, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure and oil on windshield, landed nearest airport. Ran off runway. Broken rod. ## Other investigations on N4175R (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 CHI79FEE18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEE18), Dec 7, 1978: Piper PA-32 (N4175R), West Chicago, IL, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.