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NTSB Report
July 20, 1987 · Piper PA-25-235 · N8972Y
Marne, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Marne, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N8972Y
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI87DEM10
AT THE END OF A SWATH RUN WHILE ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE WAY THROUGH THE PROCEDURE TURN AROUND, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE PILOT EXTENDED HIS GLIDE TO CLEAR POWERLINES AND WHEN HE FLARED TO LAND HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO STOP THE DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, THE MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED MALFUNCTION DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE DRIVE TRAIN GEARS, SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS USING AUTOGAS WITHOUT STC APPROVAL.
Full Narrative
AT THE END OF A SWATH RUN WHILE ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE WAY THROUGH THE PROCEDURE TURN AROUND, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE PILOT EXTENDED HIS GLIDE TO CLEAR POWERLINES AND WHEN HE FLARED TO LAND HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO STOP THE DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, THE MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED MALFUNCTION DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE DRIVE TRAIN GEARS, SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS USING AUTOGAS WITHOUT STC APPROVAL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN8972Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B2-C5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 8 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time10:50
Weather SourceWFAC