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January 23, 1984 · Piper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30 · N2115D
New Orleans, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 23, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
New Orleans, LA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N2115D
Operator
Capitol Aviation Services
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW84FA121
THE ENG QUIT AS THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING FOR AN APPROACH INTO MOISANT ARPT & THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE MAGNETO DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK WAS SEVERELY CRACKED & BOTH SETS OF BREAKER POINTS WERE DISPLACED AWAY FROM THE BREAKER CAM. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP IN THE MAGNETO. THE ROTATING MAGNETO SHAFT REAR BEARING WAS 'LOCKED UP' & HAD CAUSED THE BEARING RETAINER TO SPIN WITHIN THE DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK. THE INNER RACE HAD APPARENTLY WELDED ITSELF ONTO THE SHAFT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP IN THE BEARING.
Full Narrative
THE ENG QUIT AS THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING FOR AN APPROACH INTO MOISANT ARPT & THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE MAGNETO DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK WAS SEVERELY CRACKED & BOTH SETS OF BREAKER POINTS WERE DISPLACED AWAY FROM THE BREAKER CAM. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP IN THE MAGNETO. THE ROTATING MAGNETO SHAFT REAR BEARING WAS 'LOCKED UP' & HAD CAUSED THE BEARING RETAINER TO SPIN WITHIN THE DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK. THE INNER RACE HAD APPARENTLY WELDED ITSELF ONTO THE SHAFT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP IN THE BEARING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:09 CST
Nearest AirportLakefront (9nm NNE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN2115D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCapitol Aviation Services
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind120° @ 14 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time07:50