Piper PA-28-180 N2559R

Summary

On 9 August 1996 at about 13:00 local time, a Piper PA-28-180 registered N2559R was involved in an accident near Midlothian, Texas, United States. 2 people were 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.

Date

9 August 1996 at 13:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Midlothian, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Eagles Nest (T2S6)

Coordinates

32.4897, -96.9906

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-180

Registration

N2559R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Angel Fire

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA343

1 person had minor injuries.

maintenance personnel's improper engine overhaul procedures resulting in the installation of the rocker arms in reversed positions, which led to improper lubrication and binding of the exhaust valves. A related factor was 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 pilot reported that during the takeoff initial climb, there was an engine vibration and a partial loss of power. A forced landing was made in a soft field, and structural damage occurred to the landing gear, propeller, firewall, engine mounts, and the left wing. During an engine test run at full power, FAA inspectors observed an engine power drop of 200 RPM; however, they were not able to duplicate the engine vibrations. Magneto timing was at 27 degrees BTDC, and a carbon brush was missing from the right magneto. The specification for timing was 25 degrees BTDC. The rocker arms had been installed in reverse positions on all four cylinders, and the FAA inspector reported that 'the exhaust valve was not receiving adequate lubrication.' Physical evidence on the exhaust valve rotator caps indicated binding of the exhaust valves. Time in service since a major engine overhaul and magneto overhaul was 170 hours. The pilot reported that before this accident 'there had not been any previous indications of engine problems since the engine overhaul.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.