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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 25, 1983 · Piper PA-32R-300 · N38855

Ely, MN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 25, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Ely, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-300
Tail Number
N38855
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI83LA120

ABOUT 2 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 1,000 FT AGL, THE ENG SIEZED. THE PLT THEN GLIDED ONTO A FROZEN LAKE. THE ACFT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE LAST OIL CHANGE RECORDED WAS DURING THE ANNUAL ON 7/15/81. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED SEVERE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. CONRODS 1,2,3 & 4 WERE BURNED OUT & BROKEN AT THE CRANKSHAFT ENDS.

Full Narrative

ABOUT 2 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 1,000 FT AGL, THE ENG SIEZED. THE PLT THEN GLIDED ONTO A FROZEN LAKE. THE ACFT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE LAST OIL CHANGE RECORDED WAS DURING THE ANNUAL ON 7/15/81. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED SEVERE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. CONRODS 1,2,3 & 4 WERE BURNED OUT & BROKEN AT THE CRANKSHAFT ENDS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:08 CST
Nearest AirportEly Municipal (3nm SSW)
Runway12
Runway Length5600 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32R-300
Tail NumberN38855
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-KIG5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data