# NTSB SEA92LA014: Piper PA-28R-201T, N1087H, Monticello, UT, October 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1991, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, UT
- Coordinates: 37.980129, -109.290145 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9801&lon=-109.2901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41607
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41607/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA014

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE/OVERHAUL OF THE ENGINE, AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE #5 PISTON (HOLE BURNED IN PISTON), DUE TO PRE-IGNITION AND/OR DETONATION.  ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - arcing
  - ignition system,magneto - contamination
  - fuel system - other
  - engine assembly,piston - burned (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, ABOUT 5 MIN AFTER PASSING THE MONTICELLO AIRPORT, THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH.  THE PILOT REVERSED COURSE TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.  AS HE WAS TURNING ONTO BASE LEG, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING ABOUT 50 YARDS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. AN EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CRANKCASE, A HOLE WAS BURNED IN THE #5 PISTON FROM PRE-IGNITION/DETONATION, THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF ARCING OF THE LEFT MAG AND CONTAMINATION IN THE RIGHT MAG, AND THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED.  THE ACFT HAD 88 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME, SINCE A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETED ON 7/12/91.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1087H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1087H-2003-12-08), registration cancelled 2003-12-08, S/N 28R-7703013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7703013
- Airframe hours: 5030
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James J. Blount Jr.
- Registered owner: James J. Blount Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 1991, 88 hours before
- Departed: BDG, BLANDING, UT
- Destination: RKS, ROCK SPRINGS, WY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: U43, Monticello, runway 34, 4,817 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,179 total, 166 in this make and model, 1,110 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GJT, 80 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 19911020047179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911020047179A), Oct 20, 1991: Piper PA28R201T, Monticello, UT, Substantial damage. Engine threw a rod after detonation burned hole in piston. Crash landed. Magneto bad shape contributed detonation.

## Other investigations on N1087H (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 NYC82FFJ09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FFJ09), Dec 3, 1981: Piper PA-28R (N1087H), Syracuse, NY, 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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