Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-140 near Granbury, TX — 2014-07-02

Final reportCEN14LA334
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Date
2014-07-02
Location
Granbury, TX, USA
Airport
GDJ
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-140
Registration
N9898W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to the failure of the exhaust valve.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that, after takeoff, when the airplane was about 500 ft above ground level, the engine started to run roughly and lose power. The engine rpm decreased to about 1,100 rpm as the flight instructor attempted to turn the airplane 180 degrees back toward the airport. However, he was unable to land at the airport, so he made a forced landing to a field short of the runway. During a postaccident engine test run, the engine initially ran roughly, and black smoke was observed coming from the exhaust. After a brief warmup, the engine could only produce about 1,600 rpm at full throttle, and the engine test run was stopped. The examination of the No. 3 cylinder revealed that the exhaust valve was broken in several pieces and that some fragments remained in the cylinder, which produced gouging and scraping to the piston and cylinder head. The broken exhaust valve, spring, exhaust valve keepers, and rotating cap exhibited carbon buildup. Examination revealed a wear pattern on the top of the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve rotator cap consistent with rocker arm wear. No rotational signatures were observed along the edge of the cap near the heavy carbon buildup, indicating that the rotator cap had stopped rotating, which subsequently led to a hot spot on the exhaust valve and caused the valve to fail.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Performing a thorough preflight engine check could have identified issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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