# NTSB MKC89LA193: Piper PA-28-161, N8068C, Chanhassen, MN, September 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1989, 21:15 local (Sep 5, 1989, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Chanhassen, MN
- Coordinates: 44.90026, -93.369544 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9003&lon=-93.3695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA193

## Probable cause

ENGINE ASSEMBLY DOWELL PIN SHEARED CAUSING TOTAL POWERPLANT FAILURE AND INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE DRIVER OF THE GROUND VEHICLE.

## 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,other - sheared (cause)
  - powerplant - failure,total (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, standing
  - evacuation - not performed, pilot in command
  - object - vehicle
  - visual lookout - inadequate, driver of vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A NIGHT, CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT SAID THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A HIGHWAY WITHOUT DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. WHILE THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS WERE IN THE FULLY STOPPED AIRCRAFT, IT WAS STRUCK BY A MOTOR VEHICLE, DAMAGING THE LEFT WING. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A REAR CRANKSHAFT DOWELL PIN HAD SHEARED, CAUSING ALL REAR ENGINE DRIVEN ACCESSORIES AND THE CAMSHAFT TO CEASE OPERATION, RESULTING IN POWERPLANT FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8068C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8068C), registered now, S/N 28-8216099, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8216099
- Airframe hours: 2370
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thunderbird Aircraft Co.
- Registered owner: Thunderbird Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1989, 50 hours before
- Departed: STC, ST. CLOUD, MN
- Destination: Y12, LAKEVILLE, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 60 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FCM, 5 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 19890904033579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890904033579A), Sep 4, 1989: Piper PA28161, Chanhassens, MN, Substantial damage. Rear crankshaft dowell pin sheared en route at night which disconnected gear section. Landed on road,hit by vechicle

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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