Piper PA-28-160 N5087W

Summary

On 25 November 1998 at about 15:00 local time, a Piper PA-28-160 registered N5087W was involved in an accident near Greenville, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 November 1998 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Greenville, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Majors Airport (GVT)

Coordinates

33.1900, -96.1102

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-160

Registration

N5087W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Greenville → Little Rock

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW99LA036

2 people were seriously injured.

The partial loss of engine power due to a blocked muffler exhaust pipe/manifold as a result of a loose internal baffle. Factors were the improper maintenance by other maintenance personnel and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The engine lost partial power during the initial takeoff climb. The pilot stated that the pre-flight inspection and before takeoff run-up revealed no discrepancies. As the airplane departed runway 17, the pilot realized that the airplane was 'climbing slower than usual.' The airplane was crossing the departure end of the runway, at 150 feet agl, when 'the engine speed dropped noticeably.' The engine power continued to decay until it was at idle, the airspeed continued to drop, and consequently, the airplane began to descend. The post accident engine examination revealed that the internal muffler baffle was not secured to its attaching point and was blocking the engine exhaust pipe/manifold. A review of maintenance logbooks and evidence collected during the investigation indicates that airworthiness directive 70-16-05, which mandates a visual inspection of the exterior and interior of the muffler, was not complied with.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.