# NTSB NYC89LA030: Piper PA-28-140, N54394, Pawling, NY, November 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1988, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Pawling, NY
- Coordinates: 41.560745, -73.589721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5607&lon=-73.5897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36335
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36335/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA030

## Probable cause

OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN UNSUITALBE TERRAIN FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS CAUSED BY LOSS OF LUBRICATION DUE TO SPALLING ON THE CAMSHAFT AND CORRESPONDING TAPPET BODY FACES.

## 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, descent - normal
  - engine assembly,camshaft - worn (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AND MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING. DURING THE INVESTIGATION THE ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN AND FOUR INTAKE LOBES AND ONE EXHAUST LOBE ON THE CAMSHAFT WITH THEIR CORRESPONDING TAPPET BODY FACES WERE SEVERELY SPALLED. METAL WAS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54394](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54394-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 28-7425119, built 1973 (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: 28-7425119
- Airframe hours: 2682
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert St. George
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1987, 164 hours before
- Departed: HWN, SHIRLEY, NY
- Destination: POV, POUGHKEPSIE, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 421 total, 369 in this make and model, 378 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 0° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °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 19881114050569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881114050569A), Nov 14, 1988: Piper PA28140, Pawlin, NY, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure and power. Landed off airport. Metal in oil. Camshaft and intake lobes severely spalled.

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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