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NTSB Report
August 13, 1985 · Piper PA-28-140 · N9912W
May, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 13, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
May, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N9912W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85LA318
THE PLT STATED THE ENG RPM DROPPED TO 1500 DURING LEVEL CRUISE FLT AT 4200 FT MSL. HE COULD NOT REGAIN PWR. HE DIVERTED THE FLT AND ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE BROWNWOOD, TX, ARPT BUT DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A RUGGED, HEAVILY WOODED AREA. A SUBSEQUENT ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE STEM HAD SEPARATED. THE EXHAUST VALVE HEAD HEAVILY DAMAGED THE PISTON AND CYLINDER HEAD. REASON FOR THE VALVE STEM SEPARATION IS UNDETERMINED.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THE ENG RPM DROPPED TO 1500 DURING LEVEL CRUISE FLT AT 4200 FT MSL. HE COULD NOT REGAIN PWR. HE DIVERTED THE FLT AND ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE BROWNWOOD, TX, ARPT BUT DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A RUGGED, HEAVILY WOODED AREA. A SUBSEQUENT ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE STEM HAD SEPARATED. THE EXHAUST VALVE HEAD HEAVILY DAMAGED THE PISTON AND CYLINDER HEAD. REASON FOR THE VALVE STEM SEPARATION IS UNDETERMINED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:55 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN9912W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 12 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO