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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 24, 1988 · North American T-28A · N14142

Schoolcraft, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 24, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Schoolcraft, MI
Aircraft
North American T-28A
Tail Number
N14142
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI88DEM01

WHILE THE PILOT WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 7800 MSL HE NOTICED A VAPOR TRAIL COMING FROM THE RIGHT EXHAUST AREA. THE PILOT NOTIFIED APPROACH CONTROL THAT HE WAS RETURNING TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND THEY SUPPLIED RADAR VECTORS. THE PILOT STARTED A DESCENT AND DURING THIS TIME THE ENGINE POWER FADED FAST. CONSEQUENTLY HE DECIDED HE WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT BACK. THE PILOT CONTACTED APPROACH WHO THEN VECTORED HIM TO A SMALL AIRPORT APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AWAY. THE PREMATURE DESCENT ALSO PLACED THE ALTERNATE AIRPORT OUT OF RANGE. THE PILOT CHOSE AN OPEN FIELD TO LAND IN. ABOUT 15 FT ABOVE THE GROUND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. IT IMPACTED THE GROUND HARD ON ALL THREE LANDING GEAR. THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO NOSE OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE #4 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED.

Full Narrative

WHILE THE PILOT WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 7800 MSL HE NOTICED A VAPOR TRAIL COMING FROM THE RIGHT EXHAUST AREA. THE PILOT NOTIFIED APPROACH CONTROL THAT HE WAS RETURNING TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND THEY SUPPLIED RADAR VECTORS. THE PILOT STARTED A DESCENT AND DURING THIS TIME THE ENGINE POWER FADED FAST. CONSEQUENTLY HE DECIDED HE WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT BACK. THE PILOT CONTACTED APPROACH WHO THEN VECTORED HIM TO A SMALL AIRPORT APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AWAY. THE PREMATURE DESCENT ALSO PLACED THE ALTERNATE AIRPORT OUT OF RANGE. THE PILOT CHOSE AN OPEN FIELD TO LAND IN. ABOUT 15 FT ABOVE THE GROUND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. IT IMPACTED THE GROUND HARD ON ALL THREE LANDING GEAR. THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO NOSE OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE #4 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:10 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNorth American T-28A
Tail NumberN14142
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · R-1820-86D · Reciprocating · 1200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 15 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point21 C / 14 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:10
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data