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NTSB Report
April 8, 1990 · Piper PA-28-140 · N5628U
Forsyth, MT
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 8, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Forsyth, MT
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N5628U
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN90LA088
THE PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM A HAY FIELD WITH CALM WINDS. HE SAID THE ENGINE QUIT DURING INITIAL CLIMB, AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ACROSS AN OLD RAILROAD BED. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE PLANE CROSSED THE RAISED GRAVEL BED AND SHEARED THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR, THE NOSE GEAR AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE MOUNT AND FIREWALL. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT WATER IN THE FUEL HAD CAUSED THE ENGINE TO QUIT, BUT NO WATER WAS FOUND IN THE SYSTEM DURING THE INVESTIGATION. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN BY AN A&P MECHANIC FAILED TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED ENGINE STOPPAGE.
NTSB Probable Cause
AN UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE.
Full Narrative
THE PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM A HAY FIELD WITH CALM WINDS. HE SAID THE ENGINE QUIT DURING INITIAL CLIMB, AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ACROSS AN OLD RAILROAD BED. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE PLANE CROSSED THE RAISED GRAVEL BED AND SHEARED THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR, THE NOSE GEAR AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE MOUNT AND FIREWALL. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT WATER IN THE FUEL HAD CAUSED THE ENGINE TO QUIT, BUT NO WATER WAS FOUND IN THE SYSTEM DURING THE INVESTIGATION. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN BY AN A&P MECHANIC FAILED TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED ENGINE STOPPAGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN5628U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO