On December 14, 2004, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N801FS) was involved in an aviation accident near Sleetmute, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A significant portion of the exhaust valve broke free from the exhaust valve stem in the number 1 cylinder, entered the combustion chamber, and damaged the piston, leading to a loss of engine power. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During cruise at 5,000 msl, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing on a snow-covered area; the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. Investigation found a broken exhaust valve in the number 1 cylinder.
Accident Overview
The commercial certificated pilot was conducting a flight in level cruise at 5,000 feet mean sea level when the engine began running roughly and the engine rpm decreased slightly. This was followed by a rapid loss of engine power, causing a loss of altitude. The pilot attempted to restore engine power to maintain level flight but was unable to do so.
Forced Landing
The pilot selected a snow-covered area as the site for a forced landing. During the landing roll, the airplane's nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The accident resulted in structural damage to the wings and fuselage.
Inspection Findings
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the accident airplane's engine and discovered that a significant portion of the exhaust valve had broken free from the exhaust valve stem in the number 1 cylinder. The broken portion of the valve entered the number 1 cylinder combustion chamber and damaged the piston.
Probable cause
A significant portion of the exhaust valve broke free from the exhaust valve stem in the number 1 cylinder, entered the combustion chamber, and damaged the piston, leading to a loss of engine power.
What happened in the 14 Dec 2004 Piper PA-28-140 accident near Sleetmute, AK?
During cruise at 5,000 msl, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing on a snow-covered area; the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. Investigation found a broken exhaust valve in the number 1 cylinder.
Were there any fatalities in the 14 Dec 2004 Piper PA-28-140 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 14 Dec 2004 involved a Piper PA-28-140, registration N801FS, at Sleetmute, AK.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
A significant portion of the exhaust valve broke free from the exhaust valve stem in the number 1 cylinder, entered the combustion chamber, and damaged the piston, leading to a loss of engine power.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…