Piper PA-28-161 accident near Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 8, 2000
On June 8, 2000 at about 8:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-161, registered N8189T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Minneapolis, Minnesota (Flying Cloud Municipal airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the engine and the unsuitable terrain for landing encountered by the pilot-in-command. Factors to the accident were the fracture of the crankshaft due to fatigue, excessive main bearing wear, and the swampy terrain condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 2000 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Minneapolis, Minnesota · Flying Cloud Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-161 · all PA-28-161s on the register
- Registration
- N8189T · no longer on the register · serial 288016309
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During initial climb after takeoff the engine crankshaft failed, resulting in a engine failure. The flight instructor took control of the aircraft and executed a forced landing into a swamp. Post-accident investigation revealed that the engine crankshaft had failed between the number three bearing journal and the number three connecting rod journal. According to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory Factual Report, the fracture surface, on the forward piece of the crankshaft, "...appeared relatively smooth with curving crack arrest lines, features typical of fatigue." The report stated, "Fracture features for the fatigue region emanated from an origin...at the surface of the aft radius of the third main journal...." The factual report indicated that the fatigue cracking progressed through more than 80-percent of the check prior to the final separation. The factual report further added that that the inner and outer diameter surfaces of the number three main bearing halves were circumferentially rubbed. The report states, "One edge of each of these bearing halves was rubbed and worn in the approximate shape of the journal radius. In addition, the antirotation tabs for these bearing halves were worn away from the outside diameter surface." The factual report indicated that the number four main bearing halves were deformed and the inner diameter surface was gouged. The report states, "Also, some slight circumferential rubbing marks were observed on the inner diameter surface of the number 1 and 2 main bearing halves. No evidence of heat tinting was noted on any of the bearing halves."
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 537 hours in all; 104 in this make and model; 185 in the last 90 days; 76 in the last 30 days; 472 as pilot in command; 197 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,478 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 6, 2000; 103 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FCM at 8:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,691 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 9 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 196°F (91°C), dew point 158°F (70°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from FCM, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.