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NTSB Report
April 27, 1988 · Piper PA-31-350 · N3588Y
Hayward, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 27, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Hayward, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N3588Y
Operator
Helicopters Unlimited
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88FA169
UPON ARRIVING AT HIS DESTINATION THE PILOT BEGAN A VISUAL, NIGHT DESCENT TO HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT. AS THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED THE PILOT REDUCED THE AIRSPEED AND DEPLOYED FLAPS. AS THE AIRCRAFT NEARED THE AIRPORT THE PILOT INCREASED THE FLAP ANGLE AND ADJUSTED THE PROPELLERS TO THE LANDING RPM AND THE AIRSPEED DECREASED. THE PILOT STATED THAT AT THIS TIME HE HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A FLUTTER WHICH HE THOUGHT WAS EMANATING FROM THE RIGHT ENGINE. FULL THROTTLE WAS APPLIED, BUT THE AIRSPEED CONTINUED TO DECREASE AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON A FREEWAY. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A MOTOR VEHICLE ON TOUCHDOWN AND SLID TO A STOP. POST CRASH EXAM REVEALED THE RPM CONTROL LEVERS AND BELLRANKS TO BE IN THE HIGH RPM SETTINGS. THE LEFT PROP WAS FOUND IN THE FEATHERED POSITION.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT'S FAILURE TO DETECT AN UNCOMMANDED PROPELLER FEATHERING PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED IN THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK.
Full Narrative
UPON ARRIVING AT HIS DESTINATION THE PILOT BEGAN A VISUAL, NIGHT DESCENT TO HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT. AS THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED THE PILOT REDUCED THE AIRSPEED AND DEPLOYED FLAPS. AS THE AIRCRAFT NEARED THE AIRPORT THE PILOT INCREASED THE FLAP ANGLE AND ADJUSTED THE PROPELLERS TO THE LANDING RPM AND THE AIRSPEED DECREASED. THE PILOT STATED THAT AT THIS TIME HE HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A FLUTTER WHICH HE THOUGHT WAS EMANATING FROM THE RIGHT ENGINE. FULL THROTTLE WAS APPLIED, BUT THE AIRSPEED CONTINUED TO DECREASE AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON A FREEWAY. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A MOTOR VEHICLE ON TOUCHDOWN AND SLID TO A STOP. POST CRASH EXAM REVEALED THE RPM CONTROL LEVERS AND BELLRANKS TO BE IN THE HIGH RPM SETTINGS. THE LEFT PROP WAS FOUND IN THE FEATHERED POSITION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:14 PDT
Nearest AirportHayward Air Term. (0nm N)
Runway28
Runway Length5024 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN3588Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHelicopters Unlimited
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TSIO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind260° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time06:45
Weather SourceWFAC