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December 24, 1986 · Piper PA-34-200T · N3577U

Mobile, AL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 24, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Mobile, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200T
Tail Number
N3577U
Operator
Executive Air Charter
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA049

THE PLT HAD SUSPECTED A HYDRAULIC PROBLEM PRIOR TO DEPARTURE WHEN HYDRAULIC FLUID WAS FOUND ON THE HANGAR FLOOR. THE ACFT WAS FLOWN TO A NEARBY ARPT FOR REPAIRS. THE ACFT THEN DEPARTED AND APRX 1 HR INTO THE FLT A HEATER PROBLEM WAS EXPERIENCED. THE PLT CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM AND THE FLT CONTINUED AT 11,000 FT. THE PLT REQUESTED A LOWER ALT UPON NEARING MOBILE AND ATC APPROVAL WAS RECEIVED TO DESCEND IN STAGES. AT 2,000 FT, THE PLT REPORTED A FAILURE OF BOTH ENGINES. REMEDIAL ACTION WAS ATTEMPTED, HOWEVER, PWR WAS NOT RESTORED. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE GEAR UP FORCED LANDING WHICH FOLLOWED. DURING WRECKAGE RECOVERY, 49 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND THE LEFT TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY. A TEST PROP WAS INSTALLED, FUEL WAS ADDED AND BOTH ENGINES WERE STARTED. THE ENGINES PERFORMED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT HAD SUSPECTED A HYDRAULIC PROBLEM PRIOR TO DEPARTURE WHEN HYDRAULIC FLUID WAS FOUND ON THE HANGAR FLOOR. THE ACFT WAS FLOWN TO A NEARBY ARPT FOR REPAIRS. THE ACFT THEN DEPARTED AND APRX 1 HR INTO THE FLT A HEATER PROBLEM WAS EXPERIENCED. THE PLT CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM AND THE FLT CONTINUED AT 11,000 FT. THE PLT REQUESTED A LOWER ALT UPON NEARING MOBILE AND ATC APPROVAL WAS RECEIVED TO DESCEND IN STAGES. AT 2,000 FT, THE PLT REPORTED A FAILURE OF BOTH ENGINES. REMEDIAL ACTION WAS ATTEMPTED, HOWEVER, PWR WAS NOT RESTORED. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE GEAR UP FORCED LANDING WHICH FOLLOWED. DURING WRECKAGE RECOVERY, 49 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND THE LEFT TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY. A TEST PROP WAS INSTALLED, FUEL WAS ADDED AND BOTH ENGINES WERE STARTED. THE ENGINES PERFORMED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:43 CST
Nearest AirportBates Field (14nm SSE)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-200T
Tail NumberN3577U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorExecutive Air Charter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · L/TS10360EB1 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 5 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingOvercast 1600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data