# NTSB MKC90LA065: Piper PA-28-140, N8285N, Herington, KS, March 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1990, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Herington, KS
- Coordinates: 38.670421, -96.939498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6704&lon=-96.9395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34942
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34942/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA065

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE #2 EXHAUST VALVE, AND IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ENG BEGAN VIBRATING & LOST SUBSTANTIAL POWER.  HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FARM PASTURE, BUT THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD, DAMAGING THE PROP, WINGS & LANDING GEAR.  A POST ACDNT EXAM OF OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE #2 EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8285N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8285N-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 28-25502, built 1969 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25502
- Airframe hours: 5881
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ward, Robert L.
- Registered owner: Ward, Robert L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1989, 149 hours before
- Departed: LWC, LAWRENCE, KS
- Destination: GBD, GREAT BEND, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 327 total, 230 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MHK

## 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 19900316004759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900316004759A), Mar 16, 1990: Piper PA28140, Herrington, KS, Substantial damage. Engine failed en route. Aircraft damaged landing in a pasture. Exhaust valve failure caused power loss.

## Other investigations on N8285N (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 MKC72FCA19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72FCA19), Jan 5, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N8285N), Chesterfield, MO, 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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