Piper PA-36-285 accident near Galena, Kansas, May 14, 2013
On May 14, 2013 at about 3:50 pm local time, a Piper PA-36-285, registered N57719, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Galena, Kansas. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 2013 · about 3:50 pm local time
- Place
- Galena, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-36-285 · all PA-36-285s on the register
- Registration
- N57719 · no longer on the register · serial 36-7660041
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › (general) › Other/unknown
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,958.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 24, 2013; 176.2 hours since
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor 6-285-A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Four States Sky AG INC
The flight
- Departed from: 78KS Baxter Springs KS at 3:45 pm
- Destination: 78KS Baxter Springs KS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 14 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KJLN, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.