Piper PA-36-285 N57719
14 May 2013 · Galena, Kansas, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 14 May 2013 at about 15:50 local time, a Piper PA-36-285 registered N57719, operated by Four States Sky AG Inc, was involved in an accident near Galena, Kansas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 15:50
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Galena, Kansas, United States
- Coordinates
- 37.0689, -94.6647
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-36-285
- Registration
- N57719
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Four States Sky AG Inc
- Operating rule
- Part 137: Agricultural
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial Application
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Baxter Springs → Baxter Springs
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN13LA280
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to improper maintenance by an unknown individual that led to the degradation and deterioration of the No. 2 piston, which was undetected because of overdue maintenance.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot noticed a decrease in the engine's oil pressure. The engine then sustained a total loss of power, and the airplane collided with terrain during the forced landing. An examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 piston had failed. In addition, each of the spark plugs had two washers installed, instead of one, and the oil filter contained many metal particles. The two washers likely altered the detonation characteristics of the pistons, causing them to overheat. As the No. 2 piston degraded, metal particles collected in the oil filter. Maintenance records indicate that the engine was overdue for a recommended oil change; the deteriorating piston would likely have been detected during an oil change. The mechanic who performed the last annual inspection was not aware that additional spark plug washers had been installed on the engine.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-36 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Aug 2013 | Piper PA-36-300 | Santa Teresa, New Mexico, United States | Roger Zeledon | No injuries | - |
| 14 Feb 2013 | Piper PA-36-300 | Quevedo, Ecuador | CIA Fapsa | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Feb 2012 | Piper PA-36-300 | Americus, Georgia, United States | Souther Field Aviation Inc | No injuries | - |
| 19 Sep 2014 | Piper PA 36-285 | Woodburn, Indiana, United States | Gaerte AG Service LLC | No injuries | - |
| 8 Aug 2012 | Piper PA-36-285 | Harvey, North Dakota, United States | Taylor AG Services Inc | No injuries | - |
| 9 Sep 2015 | Piper PA-36-375 | Elmwood, Nebraska, United States | Stove Creek Air, LLC | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Feb 2013 | Cessna 177RG | Herington, Kansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Jul 2013 | Woods Rufus Iii VANS RV-8A | Lucas, Kansas, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 9 Nov 2013 | Piper PA 28-150 | Concordia, Kansas, United States | Link Gerald L | No injuries | - |
| 11 Jun 2013 | Rogers T-51 MUSTANG KIT | St Francis, Kansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Apr 2013 | Beechcraft G36 | Hoxie, Kansas, United States | Garmin International Inc | No injuries | - |
| 31 Jul 2013 | Luscombe 8A | Ellinwood, Kansas, United States | Michael Yagel | No injuries | - |