# NTSB NYC87LA245: Piper PA-28-140, N596SP, Montgomeryville, PA, September 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1987, 20:06 local (Sep 3, 1987, 00:06 UTC)
- Place: Montgomeryville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.219902, -75.230094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2199&lon=-75.2301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30729
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30729/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA245

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - lubricating system,oil line - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH ABOUT 1500' AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT TURNED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY ALL POWER WAS LOST & THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A LANDING IN A CORN FIELD. A POST- ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE OIL LINE BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND OIL COOLER HAD FAILED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NUMBER 2 CONNECTING ROD FAILED DUE TO OIL STARVATION. THE OIL LINE HAD 1613 HRS OF OPERATION. PIPER SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 531 RECOMMENDED THE OIL LINE BE CHANGED AFTER 1000 HOURS OF OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N596SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N596SP-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 28-24458, built 1968 (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: 28-24458
- Airframe hours: 3922
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Marabella, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1987, 19 hours before
- Departed: N34, PROSPECTVILLE, PA
- Destination: N34

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19870903049059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870903049059A), Sep 3, 1987: Piper PA28140, Montgomeryville, PA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climb. Landed in a cornfield. Oil cooler hose broke. Lost oil and failed engine connecting rod

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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