Piper PA28 N9139J

Summary

On 21 May 2023 at about 19:35 local time, a Piper PA28 registered N9139J was involved in an accident near Lancaster, Tennessee, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 May 2023 at 19:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Lancaster, Tennessee, United States

Coordinates

36.0894, -85.8981

Aircraft

Piper PA28

Registration

N9139J

Category

Airplane

Year built

1966

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Nashville → Seymour

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA23LA264

2 people had minor injuries.

The fatigue failure of an exhaust valve, resulting in a partial loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

About 20 to 25 minutes into the flight the engine lost power and began to run rough. The pilot described the power loss as if the engine was firing on two cylinders. He reported that the airframe began shaking and the airplane began losing altitude. Attempts to restore power were unsuccessful. Unable to make it to the nearest airport, the pilot chose a field in which to land. He notified air traffic control of the loss of engine power and performed a forced landing in a field. At touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed and the engine mount was substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve stem fractured due to fatigue that initiated on the outer surface. The resulting separation of the valve head resulted in the reported partial loss of engine power and rough running engine. Review of the engine maintenance records revealed it had been 39 years since the No. 2 exhaust valve was replaced, and 34 years since the valve guides were replaced. Although engine manufacturer service instructions are not mandatory for Part 91 operators, the engine manufacturer recommended engine overhaul within 12 years of either being put in service or last overhaul. The most recent engine overhaul had been 45 years earlier.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.