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NTSB Report
June 21, 1988 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N4490T
Eldon, MO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 21, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Eldon, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N4490T
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC88LA114
DURING A BUSINESS, CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PRIVATE PILOT SAID THAT HE HEARD A POPPING NOISE FOLLOWED BY OIL APPEARING ON THE WINDSHEILD. SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, THEN QUIT. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED ON AN AIRPORT, BUT THE ACFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A FENCE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ABOUT 25 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BROKEN ENGINE OIL LINE WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND SUBSEQUENT TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE.
NTSB Probable Cause
TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWERPLANT DUE TO AN OIL LINE RUPTURE, AND PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT NOT ATTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
Full Narrative
DURING A BUSINESS, CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PRIVATE PILOT SAID THAT HE HEARD A POPPING NOISE FOLLOWED BY OIL APPEARING ON THE WINDSHEILD. SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, THEN QUIT. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED ON AN AIRPORT, BUT THE ACFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A FENCE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ABOUT 25 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BROKEN ENGINE OIL LINE WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND SUBSEQUENT TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 CDT
Nearest AirportELDON (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length3195 ft
Runway Width45 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN4490T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 10 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourceWFAC