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NTSB Report
December 15, 1987 · Piper PA-28-161 · N2138J
Draper, UT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Draper, UT
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N2138J
Operator
Alpine Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN88FA037
DRG A NGT FLT TO REPOSITION THE ACFT TO ITS HOME BASE, THE ENG LOST PWR AS THE PLT WAS CRUISING AT ABOUT 1000' AGL. HE TRANSMITTED A 'MAYDAY' CALL & MANEUVERED THE ACFT TO MAKE A FORCED LNDG ON AN INTERSTATE HIWAY. WHILE APCHG TO LND, THE ACFT STRUCK THE TOP (GROUND) WIRE OF A PWR LINE THAT CROSSED THE HIWAY IN THAT AREA. THE ACFT THEN FLIPPED OVER & FELL ON THE NORTHBOUND LANES OF THE HIWAY. A TEAR DOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE ACCESSORY DRIVE GEAR ATTACHING BOLT (PN: STD-847) HAD BACKED OUT, ALLOWING THE DRIVE GEAR TO LOOSEN. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF SYNCHRONIZATION OF VALVE & IGNITION TIMING. AN INCORRECTLY SIZED HELI-COIL, USED TO REPAIR THE GEAR ATTACHING THREADS, WAS FOUND INSTALLED IN THE CRANKSHAFT.
Full Narrative
DRG A NGT FLT TO REPOSITION THE ACFT TO ITS HOME BASE, THE ENG LOST PWR AS THE PLT WAS CRUISING AT ABOUT 1000' AGL. HE TRANSMITTED A 'MAYDAY' CALL & MANEUVERED THE ACFT TO MAKE A FORCED LNDG ON AN INTERSTATE HIWAY. WHILE APCHG TO LND, THE ACFT STRUCK THE TOP (GROUND) WIRE OF A PWR LINE THAT CROSSED THE HIWAY IN THAT AREA. THE ACFT THEN FLIPPED OVER & FELL ON THE NORTHBOUND LANES OF THE HIWAY. A TEAR DOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE ACCESSORY DRIVE GEAR ATTACHING BOLT (PN: STD-847) HAD BACKED OUT, ALLOWING THE DRIVE GEAR TO LOOSEN. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF SYNCHRONIZATION OF VALVE & IGNITION TIMING. AN INCORRECTLY SIZED HELI-COIL, USED TO REPAIR THE GEAR ATTACHING THREADS, WAS FOUND INSTALLED IN THE CRANKSHAFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:58 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN2138J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAlpine Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind260° @ 4 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point25 C / 10 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:55
Weather SourceWFAC