# NTSB SEA89LA049: Piper PA28-140, N95286, Beaver Marsh, OR, February 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1989, 12:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Beaver Marsh, OR
- Coordinates: 43.149757, -121.80088 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1498&lon=-121.8009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA049

## Probable cause

AN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A FAILED EXHAUST VALVE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN ON WHICH A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE.

## 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
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - runway
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLT, THE ENG MISFIRED AND BEGAN OPERATING ON 3 CYLINDERS. DUE TO ROUGH TERRAIN BTW HIMSELF AND A KNOWN SUITABLE AIRPORT, THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT A SMALL SNOW-COVERED AIRSTRIP. THE ACFT NOSED OVER ON LANDING IN 4 FT OF SNOW. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE #3 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95286](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95286-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 28-25876, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140
- 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: 28-25876
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wallace W. St. Clair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: S07, BEND, OR
- Destination: 031, HEALDSBURG, CA
- Airport: 2S2, Beaver Marsh State, runway 18, 4,500 × 60 ft, dirt

## 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: 751 total, 730 in this make and model, 690 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 65 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 19890215063039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890215063039A), Feb 15, 1989: Piper PA28140, Beaver Marsh, OR, Substantial damage. Partial power loss. Elected to land on a closed unplowed runway with four feet of snow and nosed over. Valve failed

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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