FRANKLIN, NC, USA
N779VM
PIPER PA-28-180
WHILE IN CRUISE FLT ENG RPM DECREASED. PLT ACTIONS TO RECOVER RPM WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND ENG EVENTUALLY QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE TO AN EMPTY FLD. ON ROLL OUT THE ACFT HIT A CONCEALED DITCH RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. LATER, EXMINATION OF THE ENG SHOWED THAT THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE HAD SEIZED IN A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION AND THE CORRESPONDING PUSHROD WAS BROKEN. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE VALVE HAD NOT BEEN SEATED FOR SOME TIME WITH CARBON BUILDUP ON THE VALVE AND VALVE SEAT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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