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June 1, 2001 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N3708T

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 1, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N3708T
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN01LA107

After taking off and climbing to an altitude of 200 feet, the pilot heard "a single loud pop." The engine continued to develop some power but not enough for the airplane to return to the airport. The pilot said "dusk hampered visibility somewhat," and he didn't see the power lines ahead until it was too late. The right wing struck a power line and was torn off, and the airplane impacted a mesa. Examination disclosed the number 1 (right front, as viewed from the cockpit) cylinder head had separated from the cylinder barrel. The engine had accumulated 1,933.15 hours total time when it was given a "certified overhaul to new engine tolerances zero-time equivalent" and reinstalled in the airplane in 1988. Two years later, all of the cylinders were removed and the camshaft lobes and lifter faces were visually inspected for premature wear and galling. No unusual wear was noted. Only routine maintenance was recorded thereafter. At the time of the accident, the engine had accrued 1,585.04 hours since overhaul.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's diminished visual lookout, resulting in the wire strike. Contributing factors were the total mechanical failure of the cylinder, dusk, and the power transmission line.

Full Narrative

On May 31, 2001, at 2034 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N3708T, registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed when it collided with a power line during a forced landing 2 miles south of the Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated approximately 2030. After the airplane took off from runway 21 and climbed to an altitude of 200 feet, the pilot heard "a single loud pop." He reported the situation to control tower personnel, advised he was returning for landing, and was cleared to land on any runway. The engine continued to develop some power but not enough for the airplane to return to the airport. The pilot deployed full flaps, lowered the landing gear, and slowed to "the low 50's IAS" (indicated airspeed). The pilot said "dusk hampered visibility somewhat," and he didn't see power lines ahead until it was too late. At this point, "engine power failed totally." The right wing struck the power line and was torn off and the airplane impacted a mesa. FAA inspectors went to the scene and reported the number 1 (right front, as viewed from the cockpit) cylinder head had separated from the cylinder barrel. The engine, a Lycoming IO-360-B1E (s/n RL-4997-51A) had accumulated 1,933.15 hours total time when, on March 21, 1988, it was given a "certified overhaul to new engine tolerances zero-time equivalent" by Pacific Continental Engines, Inc., in Van Nuys, California. It was installed in N3708T on April 5, 1988. According to the engine logbook, all of the cylinders were removed on June 15, 1990, and the camshaft lobes and lifter faces were visually inspected for premature wear and galling. No unusual wear was noted. Thereafter, only routine maintenance was recorded. At the time of the accident, the engine had accrued 1,585.04 hours since overhaul.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:34 MDT
Nearest AirportAlbuquerque Int'L Sunport (2nm S)
Runway21
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN3708T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-B1E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 73 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind310° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point21 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time04:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data