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NTSB Report
February 13, 1990 · Piper PA-28-140 · N1785T
Rayne, LA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 13, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Rayne, LA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N1785T
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA071
THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED, WHEN IT STRUCK A DIKE AND THE GROUND DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 500 FEET ON A PIPELINE PATROL FLIGHT, THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH & THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT SUSTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE THE FORCED LANDING IN A RICE FIELD. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED AND WAS INGESTED, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE PISTON AND CYLINDER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE VALVE WAS NOT DETERMINED.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE, WHICH NECESSITATED A FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED, WHEN IT STRUCK A DIKE AND THE GROUND DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 500 FEET ON A PIPELINE PATROL FLIGHT, THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH & THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT SUSTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE THE FORCED LANDING IN A RICE FIELD. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED AND WAS INGESTED, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE PISTON AND CYLINDER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE VALVE WAS NOT DETERMINED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN1785T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 19 kt, gusting 27 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC