# NTSB SEA97LA116: Piper PA-28-140, N32142, Hysham, MT, May 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 20, 1997, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Hysham, MT - Coordinates: 45.999832, -107.120216 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9998&lon=-107.1202&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42610 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42610/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA116 ## Probable cause A failure of an engine exhaust valve and the pilot's misjudgement of altitude/distance during an emergency landing at an airstrip. ## 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 - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, he heard a 'pop' from the engine and then felt a vibration. The engine lost partial power and the pilot tried to troubleshoot to find the problem. The pilot was unable to identify the problem and maneuvered the airplane to a nearby airstrip. The pilot stated that he tried twice to land on the 2,950-foot-long airstrip, however, each time the airplane's altitude was too high. The pilot opted to divert to an open field where he maneuvered the airplane to avoid obstructions. During the landing, the landing gear was sheared off and the wings were structurally damaged. During the postcrash inspection of the engine, the number three exhaust valve was found broken at the neck. The head of the valve was found lodged in the exhaust manifold. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 1997, at 1100 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N32142, registered to New Life Assembly and operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field near Hysham, Montana. During the landing roll, the landing gear sheared off and the wings were structurally damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot received minor injuries and his passenger was not injured. The flight had departed from Miles City, Montana, about one-half hour prior to the accident. The flight was en route to Billings, Montana. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the flight was at 5,500 feet when the engine "popped" and began to vibrate. The pilot stated that he tried to trouble shoot for a problem but was unable to restore full power. The passenger spotted the Hysham Airstrip and the pilot maneuvered toward the airstrip, however, when the flight neared the airstrip, the airplane was too high. The pilot stated that he maneuvered the airplane to try and land on the airstrip again, however, he misjudged the altitude and the airplane was again too high. The pilot opted to divert to an open field where he again had to maneuver the airplane to avoid obstructions. The pilot stated that at the last minute before touchdown, he turned the airplane to avoid striking some old equipment. The left wing contacted the ground and the landing gear was sheared off. The airplane then skidded to a stop. The Hysham Airstrip is at an elevation of 2,624 feet. The gravel runway is 2,950 feet long and 55 feet wide. During the post-crash inspection of the engine, it was found that the number three cylinder would not hold compression. The cylinder was removed and it was found that the head of the exhaust valve had broken away at the neck. The head of the valve was found lodged in the exhaust manifold. The top of the piston displayed evidence of impact damage with the valve head. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32142](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32142-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 28-7525027, built 1974 (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: 28-7525027 - Airframe hours: 7470 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lester S. Hall - Registered owner: New Life Assembly - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 1996, 20 hours before - Departed: MLS, MILES CITY, MT - Destination: BIL, BILLINGS, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 359 total, 18 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BIL, 63 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 19970520011139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970520011139A), May 20, 1997: Piper PA28140, Hysham, MT, Substantial damage. (.19) See NTSB #SEA97LA116 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.