Piper PA-28-140 accident near Macon, Missouri, February 25, 2005
On February 25, 2005 at about 3:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N4468T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Macon, Missouri (Macon-Fower Meml airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people 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 failure of the engine exhaust valve. The pilot's inability to maintain clearance from obstacles, the trees, the residence and the pilot's evasive maneuver were factors in the accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 25, 2005 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Macon, Missouri · Macon-Fower Meml · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N4468T · registry record · serial 28-7225150
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was damaged when it impacted trees and a house during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported losing engine power while climbing through 4,200 feet. He reported that the engine was set to 2,500 rpm during the climb, and after hearing a loud noise from the engine, the tachometer read about 1,200 rpm. He stated that the engine was running rough and would only achieve 1,500 to 1,900 rpm at full throttle. He diverted to a nearby airport and executed a forced landing. During the landing, he realized he would not be able to stop before impacting trees at the end of the runway. The pilot then attempted to clear the trees at the end of the runway and land in a clearing on the opposite side. He stated that after clearing the trees, the airspeed started to fall rapidly and the airplane struck trees and came to rest on the roof of a house that he had not seen. Subsequent to the accident, the number four exhaust valve was found to be fractured.
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 single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,740 hours in all; 460 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 1,520 as pilot in command; 640 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,437 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2004; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MO8 Brookfield MO at 3:15 pm
- Destination: 1H0 St Louis MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 02, 3,300 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from KIRK, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.