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NTSB Report
October 12, 1989 · Piper PA-28-140 · N6636W
Henderson, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Henderson, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N6636W
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA010
THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A HARD LANDING AFTER AN ENGINE FAILURE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AND THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN. THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE. HOWEVER, THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE VALVE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED METALLURGICALLY DUE TO SECONDARY DAMAGE TO ALL OF THE FRACTURE SURFACES. THE PILOT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE AND THE ENGINE WAS 661 HOURS PAST THE RECOMMENDED OVERHAUL TIME. A SERVICE INSTRUCTION CRITICAL TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING VALVES WITH HEAVIER DUTY VALVES HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH PRIOR TO THE SALE OR THE ACCIDENT. THE PURCHASER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE SERVICE INSTRUCTION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS A RESULT OF A FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 3 EXHAUST VALVE DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PREVIOUS OWNER'S DELAY IN OVERHAULING THE ENGINE AND HIS FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS AND ROUGH TERRAIN IN THE TOUCHDOWN AREA OF THE EMERGENCY LANDING.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A HARD LANDING AFTER AN ENGINE FAILURE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AND THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN. THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE. HOWEVER, THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE VALVE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED METALLURGICALLY DUE TO SECONDARY DAMAGE TO ALL OF THE FRACTURE SURFACES. THE PILOT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE AND THE ENGINE WAS 661 HOURS PAST THE RECOMMENDED OVERHAUL TIME. A SERVICE INSTRUCTION CRITICAL TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING VALVES WITH HEAVIER DUTY VALVES HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH PRIOR TO THE SALE OR THE ACCIDENT. THE PURCHASER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE SERVICE INSTRUCTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN6636W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO