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September 6, 1982 · Piper PA-32-300 · N48915

23 Mi Ene Toutl, WA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 6, 1982
Injury Outcomes
7 injuries (2 fatalities, 5 serious injuries)
Location
23 Mi Ene Toutl, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N48915
Operator
Packwood Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA82AA155

WHILE ON A SIGHTSEEING FLT IN THE MT.ST.HELENS NATIONAL VOLCANIC MONUMENT AREA THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE MUD FLATS OF THE NORTH FORK OF THE TOUTLE RIVER IN A RELATIVELY FLAT & OPEN AREA. THERE WERE INDICATIONS OF A MASSIVE OIL LEAK FROM THE ENG AREA IN FLIGHT. ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED A DEMOUNTED NO.3 CYLINDER. HOLD DOWN BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM ONE 1/2 INCH STUD & ONE 1/2 INCH THROUGHBOLT, & FROM TWO 3/8 INCH STUDS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF TENSILE OVERLOADING OR STRIPPING. ONE HOLD DOWN NUT OF EACH SIZE WAS LOCATED UNATTACHED & CAPTURED IN THE EXTERIOR ENG BAFFLING. THE NO. 3 CONROD CAP WAS MISSING. THE ENG HAD ACCRUED 446 HRS SINCE OVERHAUL & 24 HRS SINCE LAST INSPECTION. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND NEAR A LEVEL STRAIGHT ROAD FREE OF SHOULDER OBSTRUCTIONS. A SURVIVING PAX STATED A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD WOULD BE MADE. A STEEP TURN WAS MADE OVER THE ROAD & THE ACFT "FELL." THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THE PLT SHOULD BE AT 1000FT AGL AT THE DOWNWINDPOSITION FOR A NORMAL APPROACH TO A POWER-OFF LANDING. THE STALL WARNING SYSTEM WAS REPORTED INOPERATIVE.

Full Narrative

WHILE ON A SIGHTSEEING FLT IN THE MT.ST.HELENS NATIONAL VOLCANIC MONUMENT AREA THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE MUD FLATS OF THE NORTH FORK OF THE TOUTLE RIVER IN A RELATIVELY FLAT & OPEN AREA. THERE WERE INDICATIONS OF A MASSIVE OIL LEAK FROM THE ENG AREA IN FLIGHT. ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED A DEMOUNTED NO.3 CYLINDER. HOLD DOWN BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM ONE 1/2 INCH STUD & ONE 1/2 INCH THROUGHBOLT, & FROM TWO 3/8 INCH STUDS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF TENSILE OVERLOADING OR STRIPPING. ONE HOLD DOWN NUT OF EACH SIZE WAS LOCATED UNATTACHED & CAPTURED IN THE EXTERIOR ENG BAFFLING. THE NO. 3 CONROD CAP WAS MISSING. THE ENG HAD ACCRUED 446 HRS SINCE OVERHAUL & 24 HRS SINCE LAST INSPECTION. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND NEAR A LEVEL STRAIGHT ROAD FREE OF SHOULDER OBSTRUCTIONS. A SURVIVING PAX STATED A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD WOULD BE MADE. A STEEP TURN WAS MADE OVER THE ROAD & THE ACFT "FELL." THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THE PLT SHOULD BE AT 1000FT AGL AT THE DOWNWINDPOSITION FOR A NORMAL APPROACH TO A POWER-OFF LANDING. THE STALL WARNING SYSTEM WAS REPORTED INOPERATIVE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:03 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN48915
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPackwood Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary7 injuries (2 fatalities, 5 serious injuries)
Fatal2
Serious5
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total7
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data