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February 8, 1984 · Piper PA-31T · N36CA

Riviera, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 8, 1984
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Riviera, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-31T
Tail Number
N36CA
Operator
Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX84FA170

ACFT LOST PWR ON THE LEFT ENG DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE APRX 8 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. ARPT MGR HEARD UNICOM TRANSMISSION FROM N36CA, 'WE LOST AN ENG, WE'RE COMING BACK.' A WARNING HORN (POSSIBLY GEAR WARNING OR STALL HORN) WAS HEARD IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN N36CA FAILED TO RETURN THE ARPT MGR CALLED THE SHERIFF & BEGAN SEARCH IN HIS OWN ACFT. N36CA WAS LOCATED APRX 1 HOUR AFTER IT'S DEPARTURE. THE FORCED LANDING WAS IN A FLAT, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH 22DEGS OF FLAPS EXTENDED. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED IN AREA OF 8 FT HIGH BRUSH. DISTANCE FROM INITIAL IMPACT TO FINAL REST WAS 595 FT ON HEADING OF 140 DEGS. ALTHOUGH RESTRAINED BY LAP BELT AND HARNESS, PLT HIT HEAD ON CO-PLT'S CONTOL YOKE DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE LEFT ENG TURBINE BLADE HAD FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE PLT'S SON SAID HIS FATHER SHUT DOWN THE RIGHTENG IN-FLT AND AS A RESULT THE ACFT HAD NO PWR ON EITHER ENG.

Full Narrative

ACFT LOST PWR ON THE LEFT ENG DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE APRX 8 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. ARPT MGR HEARD UNICOM TRANSMISSION FROM N36CA, 'WE LOST AN ENG, WE'RE COMING BACK.' A WARNING HORN (POSSIBLY GEAR WARNING OR STALL HORN) WAS HEARD IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN N36CA FAILED TO RETURN THE ARPT MGR CALLED THE SHERIFF & BEGAN SEARCH IN HIS OWN ACFT. N36CA WAS LOCATED APRX 1 HOUR AFTER IT'S DEPARTURE. THE FORCED LANDING WAS IN A FLAT, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH 22DEGS OF FLAPS EXTENDED. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED IN AREA OF 8 FT HIGH BRUSH. DISTANCE FROM INITIAL IMPACT TO FINAL REST WAS 595 FT ON HEADING OF 140 DEGS. ALTHOUGH RESTRAINED BY LAP BELT AND HARNESS, PLT HIT HEAD ON CO-PLT'S CONTOL YOKE DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE LEFT ENG TURBINE BLADE HAD FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE PLT'S SON SAID HIS FATHER SHUT DOWN THE RIGHTENG IN-FLT AND AS A RESULT THE ACFT HAD NO PWR ON EITHER ENG.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:10 MST
Nearest AirportBullhead City (7nm S)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31T
Tail NumberN36CA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-28 · Turboprop · 620
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt
Visibility45 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data