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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 9, 1986 · Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30 · N39944

Paso Robles, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Paso Robles, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N39944
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA286

THE PLT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WAS TRAILING SMOKE ON CLIMB OUT. THE PLT ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE CLIMB DUE TO IMC AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT AND DIVERT TO ANOTHER ARPT LOCATED 26 NM NORTH. HE CONTINUED TO CLIMB TO 4,500 FT MSL TO VMC. THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE CLIMB AND THE PLT REQUESTED RADAR VECTORS TO ANOTHER ARPT AND VMC. APRX 20 NM SOUTH OF THE OF THE APRT WHILE IN A DESCENT IN VMC THE ENG OIL PRESSURE GAGE INDICATED 'O'. THE ENG THEN SEIZED AND THE PLT LANDED IN A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE LEFT LANDING GEAR WAS SEVERED AND THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED. AFTER THE ACFT CAME TO REST, OIL WAS SEEN ON THE TOP OF THE ENG COWLING AND ON THE ACFT FUSELAGE. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE ENG CASE HAD FRACTURED ABOVE THE NUMBER 6 CYLINDER. ALL OIL FITTINGS WERE EXAMINED FOR PROPER SECURITY AND TIGHTNESS AND PRESSURE CHECKED. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF LEAKAGE OR BLOCKAGE FOUND.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WAS TRAILING SMOKE ON CLIMB OUT. THE PLT ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE CLIMB DUE TO IMC AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT AND DIVERT TO ANOTHER ARPT LOCATED 26 NM NORTH. HE CONTINUED TO CLIMB TO 4,500 FT MSL TO VMC. THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE CLIMB AND THE PLT REQUESTED RADAR VECTORS TO ANOTHER ARPT AND VMC. APRX 20 NM SOUTH OF THE OF THE APRT WHILE IN A DESCENT IN VMC THE ENG OIL PRESSURE GAGE INDICATED 'O'. THE ENG THEN SEIZED AND THE PLT LANDED IN A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE LEFT LANDING GEAR WAS SEVERED AND THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED. AFTER THE ACFT CAME TO REST, OIL WAS SEEN ON THE TOP OF THE ENG COWLING AND ON THE ACFT FUSELAGE. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE ENG CASE HAD FRACTURED ABOVE THE NUMBER 6 CYLINDER. ALL OIL FITTINGS WERE EXAMINED FOR PROPER SECURITY AND TIGHTNESS AND PRESSURE CHECKED. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF LEAKAGE OR BLOCKAGE FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:33 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN39944
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-S1AD · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data