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NTSB Report
August 24, 1990 · Piper PA-31T2 · N85HB
Mattapan, MA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1990
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Mattapan, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-31T2
Tail Number
N85HB
Operator
Michael D Spear
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC90FA199
THE PLT NOTED AN OVER TORQUE CONDITION IN THE LEFT ENG AS THE ACFT WAS ON AN ILS APCH. HE MADE A GO-AROUND & INITIATED ANOTHER APCH WITH THE ENG SHUT DOWN. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT & THE ACFT BEGAN A DECENT THAT WAS NOT ARRESTED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CRASHED INTO 2 HOMES, APRX 6 MI FROM THE ARPT. AN EXAM OF THE LEFT ENG REVEALED THE DRIVE SHAFT FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL CONTROL WAS SHEARED AT THE PLASTIC COUPLING. FURTHER EXAM REVEALED THE TWIN BEARINGS THAT SUPPORTED THE DRIVESHAFT HAD FAILED. ALSO, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD SHIFTED & SUBSEQUENTLY AN OVERTORQUE CONDITION RESULTED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE LEFT FUEL CONTROL UNIT, AND THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
THE PLT NOTED AN OVER TORQUE CONDITION IN THE LEFT ENG AS THE ACFT WAS ON AN ILS APCH. HE MADE A GO-AROUND & INITIATED ANOTHER APCH WITH THE ENG SHUT DOWN. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT & THE ACFT BEGAN A DECENT THAT WAS NOT ARRESTED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CRASHED INTO 2 HOMES, APRX 6 MI FROM THE ARPT. AN EXAM OF THE LEFT ENG REVEALED THE DRIVE SHAFT FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL CONTROL WAS SHEARED AT THE PLASTIC COUPLING. FURTHER EXAM REVEALED THE TWIN BEARINGS THAT SUPPORTED THE DRIVESHAFT HAD FAILED. ALSO, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD SHIFTED & SUBSEQUENTLY AN OVERTORQUE CONDITION RESULTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:33 EDT
Nearest AirportGeneral Edward Lawrence Logan (0nm N)
Runway4R
Runway Length10005 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31T2
Tail NumberN85HB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMichael D Spear
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-28 · Turboprop · 620
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 7 kt
CeilingOvercast 300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time10:29
Weather SourceWFAC