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NTSB Report
November 29, 1990 · Piper PA-31T2 · N1879W
Des Moines, IA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 29, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Des Moines, IA
Aircraft
Piper PA-31T2
Tail Number
N1879W
Operator
Century Life of America
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI91FA035
ON FINAL APPROACH, AFTER BEING CLEARED TO LAND, THE PILOT INFORMED THE CONTROLLER THAT HE MIGHT HAVE TO SHUT DOWN AN ENGINE. HE DECLINED TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY OR REQUEST ASSISTANCE. ON SHORT FINAL, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO ROLL TO THE LEFT AND DESCENT INTO THE TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE LEFT ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING POWER, ALTHOUGH THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS NOT FEATHERED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS PRODUCING HIGH POWER DURING IMPACT. NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCY OF THE LEFT ENGINE OR PROPELLER WAS FOUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES BY NOT FEATHERING THE LEFT ENGINE AFTER IT LOST POWER AND/OR WAS SHUT DOWN, AND HIS FAILURE TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT AT OR ABOVE THE MINIMUM CONTROL AIRSPEED (VMC), WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: AN UNDETERMINED PROBLEM CONCERNING THE LEFT ENGINE THAT CAUSED IT TO LOSE POWER OR PROMPTED THE PILOT TO SHUT IT DOWN.
Full Narrative
ON FINAL APPROACH, AFTER BEING CLEARED TO LAND, THE PILOT INFORMED THE CONTROLLER THAT HE MIGHT HAVE TO SHUT DOWN AN ENGINE. HE DECLINED TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY OR REQUEST ASSISTANCE. ON SHORT FINAL, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO ROLL TO THE LEFT AND DESCENT INTO THE TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE LEFT ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING POWER, ALTHOUGH THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS NOT FEATHERED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS PRODUCING HIGH POWER DURING IMPACT. NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCY OF THE LEFT ENGINE OR PROPELLER WAS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:16 CST
Nearest AirportDes Moines Intl (0nm)
Runway30R
Runway Length9001 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31T2
Tail NumberN1879W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCentury Life of America
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-135 · Turboprop · 620
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 7 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time10:21