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NTSB Report
August 26, 1986 · Piper PA-32-260 · N3442W
Wilson, KS
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Wilson, KS
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-260
Tail Number
N3442W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC86LA175
THE PILOT STATED THAT BEFORE THE FLIGHT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CLEANED AND INSPECTED AND THE ENGINE WAS SERVICED WITH ELEVEN QUARTS OF OIL. THREE HOURS INTO THE FLIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC) WITH RAIN WAS ENCOUNTERED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO AND THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. THE ENGINE WAS SECURED, AN EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED, AND A DESCENT UNDER IMC WAS INITIATED WITH VECTORS FROM KANSAS CITY ARTCC, THE PILOT FURTHER STATED. BUT UPON BREAKING OUT OF THE CLOUDS, THE ONLY LANDING AREA AVAILABLE WAS A ROLLING PASTURE WITH A DRAINAGE DITCH ACROSS THE LANDING PATH. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED OIL STARVATION DUE TO FAILURE OF THE NUMBER SIX PUSHROD AND DAMAGE TO THE CRANKCASE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED THAT BEFORE THE FLIGHT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CLEANED AND INSPECTED AND THE ENGINE WAS SERVICED WITH ELEVEN QUARTS OF OIL. THREE HOURS INTO THE FLIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC) WITH RAIN WAS ENCOUNTERED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO AND THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. THE ENGINE WAS SECURED, AN EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED, AND A DESCENT UNDER IMC WAS INITIATED WITH VECTORS FROM KANSAS CITY ARTCC, THE PILOT FURTHER STATED. BUT UPON BREAKING OUT OF THE CLOUDS, THE ONLY LANDING AREA AVAILABLE WAS A ROLLING PASTURE WITH A DRAINAGE DITCH ACROSS THE LANDING PATH. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED OIL STARVATION DUE TO FAILURE OF THE NUMBER SIX PUSHROD AND DAMAGE TO THE CRANKCASE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:34 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-260
Tail NumberN3442W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-E4B5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 15 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 13000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:30
Weather SourceWFAC