# NTSB MKC90LA028: Piper PA-28-140, N95177, Pine Bluff, AR, November 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1989, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Pine Bluff, AR
- Coordinates: 34.270797, -92.090652 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2708&lon=-92.0907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34910/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA028

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED IN A RICE FIELD ABOUT ONE HALF MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF ABOUT ONE GALLON OF WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE ACFT HAD JUST BEEN REFUELED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95177](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95177-1992-03-24), registration cancelled 1992-03-24, S/N 2825834 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25834
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mckinstry, Richard R
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: PBF, PINE BLUFF, AR
- Destination: TUL, TULSA, OK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PBF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 149 total, 92 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Observed at: PBF, 360 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 19891111045019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891111045019A), Nov 11, 1989: Piper PA28140, Pine Bluff, AR, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Crash landed in a rice field. Found a gallon of water in the fuel system.

## Other investigations on N95177 (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 FTW72AF069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72AF069), Apr 17, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N95177), Dallas, TX, 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.

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