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NTSB Report
July 4, 1989 · Piper PA-32-300 · N4175R
Excelsor Sprgs, MO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Excelsor Sprgs, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N4175R
Operator
David E Gardner
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC89LA152
THE PLT HAD DEPARTED THE DUPAGE ARPT, CHICAGO, IL ENROUTE TO KANSAS CITY DTWN ARPT. DURING DESCENT FROM CRZ ALTITUDE THE PLT SAID OIL COVERED THE WINDSCREEN AND ENGINE POWER WAS LOST. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A NIGHT FORCED LANDING AT AN AIRPORT LOCATED ABOUT 45 MILES NORTHEAST OF THE DESTINATION. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT WAS LOST DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE ACFT CAREENED OFF THE HARD SURFACED RWY INTO ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN WHICH TORE A WING FROM ITS ATTACH POINT. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ACFT AND ITS RECORDS SHOWED THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY INSPECTED AND WAS NOT AIRWORTHY FOR THIS FLIGHT. THE ENGINE FAILED IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE A FAILURE INDICATIVE OF A CONNECTING ROD, ROD END OR ROD BOLT FAILURE WITH A RESULTANT HOLE IN THE ENGINE CASE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE AND THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING ROLL. IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS, AND RESTRICTED VISIBILITY DUE TO OIL ON THE WINDSCREEN WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Full Narrative
THE PLT HAD DEPARTED THE DUPAGE ARPT, CHICAGO, IL ENROUTE TO KANSAS CITY DTWN ARPT. DURING DESCENT FROM CRZ ALTITUDE THE PLT SAID OIL COVERED THE WINDSCREEN AND ENGINE POWER WAS LOST. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A NIGHT FORCED LANDING AT AN AIRPORT LOCATED ABOUT 45 MILES NORTHEAST OF THE DESTINATION. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT WAS LOST DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE ACFT CAREENED OFF THE HARD SURFACED RWY INTO ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN WHICH TORE A WING FROM ITS ATTACH POINT. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ACFT AND ITS RECORDS SHOWED THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY INSPECTED AND WAS NOT AIRWORTHY FOR THIS FLIGHT. THE ENGINE FAILED IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE A FAILURE INDICATIVE OF A CONNECTING ROD, ROD END OR ROD BOLT FAILURE WITH A RESULTANT HOLE IN THE ENGINE CASE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:00 CDT
Nearest AirportExcelsior Spgs (0nm N)
Runway19
Runway Length2005 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN4175R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid E Gardner
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO