# NTSB SEA96LA223: Piper PA-28-235, N8822W, Paisley, OR, September 25, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1996, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Paisley, OR
- Coordinates: 42.610633, -120.569404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6106&lon=-120.5694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA223

## Probable cause

Total loss of engine power secondary to geartrain failure.

## 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, cruise
  - engine assembly,gear - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that while in cruise flight over unsuitable terrain, the engine lost power.  A forced landing was performed to a heavily wooded area.  A post-crash teardown of the engine revealed geartrain failure.  The engine's time since overhaul was approximately 2,400 hours.  According to Lycoming service data, recommended time between overhaul for this engine was 2,000 hours.

## Factual narrative

On September 25, 1996, about 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28, N8822W, registered to and operated by the private pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while attempting an emergency landing.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries while the third passenger sustained serious injuries.  The flight originated from the Crescent Lake Airport, Crescent Lake, Oregon approximately 20 minutes prior to the accident.

During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that while in cruise configuration he experienced a loss of engine power and attempted an off-field landing.  The pilot also stated that due to the nature of the terrain he was unable to reach a suitable landing site and subsequently landed in a heavily wooded area, 30 miles south of Paisly, Oregon.

The pilot stated that a post-crash teardown of the engine revealed geartrain failure.  The engine's time since overhaul was approximately 2,400 hours.  According to Lycoming service data, recommended time between overhauls for this engine is 2,000 hours.

The FAA received an anonymous report of the accident and notified the NTSB on January 19, 1999.  The pilot stated that he assumed the NTSB had already been notified by local and state officials.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8822W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8822W-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 28-10320, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10320
- Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Markus K. Ward
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: 5S2, CRESCENT LAKE, OR
- Destination: LKV, LAKEVIEW, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 900 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

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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