Thursday, May 04, 2017

Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six, registered to Klamath Aviation LLC and operated by the pilot, N3457W: Accident occurred May 02, 2017 near Snohomish County Airport (KPAE), Everett, Washington

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Renton, Washington
Piper Aircraft; Vero Beach, Florida

Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N3457W


Location: Mukilteo, WA
Accident Number: WPR17LA096
Date & Time: 05/02/2017, 1528 PDT
Registration: N3457W
Aircraft: PIPER PA 32-260
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On May 2, 2017, at 1528 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260 airplane, N3457W, struck power transmission cables and traffic lights and collided with the ground in Mukilteo, Washington, after a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb from Snohomish County Airport (Paine Field), Everett, Washington. The private pilot was not injured, the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to Klamath Aviation LLC., and operated by the pilot as a personal cross-country flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time and destined for Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport, Klamath Falls, Oregon.

The pilot stated that he had just serviced the airplane with aviation gasoline prior to takeoff and filled the main tanks to the "tabs", and both tip tanks to capacity. He performed a preflight airplane walk around and checked the fuel for contamination at the sump drains. No anomalies were noted, and he boarded the airplane, sitting in the left seat. Due to a Boeing 787 airplane performing tests at the arrival end of runway 16R, the pilot accepted an intersection departure from runway 16R, at taxiway A4 (with about 5,600 ft of runway remaining). He taxied to the runup area adjacent to the intersection, and performed pre-takeoff checks, and an engine runup. He stated that all systems were normal, including both the magneto and carburetor heat checks, and after turning on the auxiliary fuel pump and confirming the fuel selector valve was set to the right tip tank, he taxied onto the runway and began the departure roll. Surveillance video from the air traffic control tower revealed that the airplane was in the runup area for about 3 minutes and began the takeoff roll about 30 seconds later.

The pilot stated that the airplane accelerated appropriately, and he initiated a rotation at 80 mph. The airplane lifted off and continued to accelerate to 90 mph during the initial climb. The air traffic controller requested that the pilot perform a right turn when able, due to departing traffic behind, and as soon as the pilot began to initiate the turn, the engine lost power.

The pilot estimated that the power loss occurred at an altitude of about 400 ft agl, and the airplane was not able to maintain altitude. He declared an emergency and checked both the fuel selector valve and fuel mixture positions and confirmed the engine primer was in and locked. With limited time to troubleshoot, he turned his attention to performing a forced landing. During the descent he noticed the engine appeared to be producing partial power, and the propeller continued to turn at 400 to 500 rpm.

He observed an area of swamps and tall trees directly ahead, and to his right a busy six-lane road, running north-south. He could see to the right an east-west oriented road, which was free of traffic in the westbound lane. He maneuvered the airplane for landing in this lane, and as he approached, the right wing stuck a power transmission cable. Both wingtips then struck separate traffic lights, rupturing the tip tanks, and spraying ignited fuel over cars waiting at the intersection below. The airplane then collided with the ground and came to rest on the street.

A witness, who was positioned in his automobile at an intersection adjoining the runway, reported that his attention was drawn to the airplane during takeoff, because it was emitting bursts of visible "exhaust". He stated that he was familiar with aircraft traffic and was drawn to look at the airplane because the exhaust trail was not a normal occurrence.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 30, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/17/2014
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/20/2017
Flight Time:  169 hours (Total, all aircraft), 46 hours (Total, this make and model), 111 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 39 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N3457W
Model/Series: PA 32-260 260
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1966
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 32-326
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/21/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 45 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5766.32 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT:  C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-540-E4B5
Registered Owner: Klamath Aviation LLC
Rated Power: 260 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

The airplane was manufactured in 1966 and purchased by the pilot and passenger (who were the sole members of Klamath Aviation LLC.) on November 15, 2016.

The most recent maintenance event was for an annual inspection, which was completed on September 21, 2016, at a total airframe time of 5,766.32 flight hours. At the time of inspection, the engine had accrued 567.42 flight hours since overhaul in September 1997. 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPAE, 606 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2249 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 14°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 11000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.19 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 15°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: EVERETT, WA (PAE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: KLAMATH FALLS, OR (LMT)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1527 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

A special aviation routine weather report for Paine Field was issued at 1549. It included wind from 210° at 3 knots, with a temperature of 15° C, and a dew point of 9° C.

The carburetor icing probability chart from the FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 "Carburetor Icing Prevention", indicates a probability of serious icing at cruise power for the reported temperature and dew point. 

Airport Information

Airport: SNOHOMISH COUNTY (PAINE FLD) (PAE)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 607 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 16R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 9010 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

Runway 16R is 9,010 ft long and 150 ft wide, composed of grooved asphalt and concrete, and is at an elevation of 608 ft mean sea level. 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 47.889444, -122.286944 

The airplane came to rest on a west heading on the street about 2,200 ft beyond the end of runway 16R, and 10° right of the runway centerline. The main cabin and left wing were largely intact. The horizontal stabilizer had detached, leaving the vertical stabilizer partially attached to the tailcone. The right wing had folded up about 45° at the root, and its main fuel tank had been breached.

An FAA inspector who responded to the accident site stated that shortly after his arrival he checked the left main fuel tank, which was the only unbreeched tank, and found that it contained fuel. He then removed the carburetor bowl drain plug, and fuel drained from the bowl.

The airplane was recovered from the accident site and examined by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, inspectors from the FAA, and technical representatives from Lycoming Engines and Piper Aircraft. Complete examination reports are contained within the public docket, the following is a summary of the findings.

Examination and Engine Test Run

All fuel lines and fittings were intact from the fuel tanks through to the carburetor, and there were no indications of a fuel leak. The fuel selector bowl contained about 1/4 cup of clean, bright, light-blue colored fuel. The fuel selector valve moved freely through its range, and the detents were positive. The fuel from the bowl was tested with water detecting paste, and no water was found.

The engine sustained minimal damage and remained partially attached to the firewall, with the upper left engine mount broken. The propeller was still attached to the crankshaft, and both blades exhibited about 360° of tip curl, with chordwise scratches present on the curled sections. One blade tip had detached, leaving a jagged separation surface. The dipstick indicated the engine contained 6 quarts of oil.

The top and bottom spark plugs were all Champion REM 38E types, which were appropriate for the engine application. The plugs exhibited normal wear signatures consistent with short service life when compared to the Champion AV-27 check-a-plug chart. The electrodes of the top plugs for cylinders 1 through 4 were dark grey in color. All remaining plug electrodes were coated in dark grey/black soot corresponding to "carbon fouled" as denoted on the Champion chart.

The engine was readied for a test-run by removal of the airbox (which was crushed on impact) and replacement of the propeller. Fuel recovered from the airplanes left wing main tank was used for the test and fed from a cannister connected to the right tip tank fuel line at the wing root. (Both wings were removed during aircraft recovery).

After two cranking attempts, the engine started, and was operated for about 4 minutes at speeds varying from 700 to 2,500 rpm. The engine operated smoothly throughout; each magneto indicated a 100 rpm drop when tested at 1,500 rpm, and the engine speed responded to adjustments of the propeller and throttle controls. Following the run, the top spark plugs were removed. The black soot was gone, replaced with dark grey coloration.

Magneto and Carburetor Examination

The carburetor and both magnetos were removed and examined at an overhaul facility.

Both magnetos were tested in a magneto test stand and produced sparks in firing order throughout their operating speed range.

Maintenance records indicated that the carburetor was installed in 1997, coincident to the engine overhaul. No other carburetor-related maintenance entry was found beyond the replacement of the sump plug in 2006, and the repair and removal of the carburetor inlet air box.

The carburetor appeared undamaged, and all fittings were intact. The fuel inlet screen was clear, and the throttle and mixture control arms could be moved freely.

All carburetor bowl screws were secure and tight, and remained affixed with a lock-tab washer. There was no evidence of fuel leak or discoloration at the interface between the body and bowl. The carburetor bowl was separated to facilitate internal examination, revealing a brass float. The float assembly was intact, and the clearance from the throttle body to bowl gasket and float was measured and fell within the tolerance described in the service manual.

The float-to-bowl clearance was then measured in accordance with the service manual and found to be out of tolerance. Rub marks were present in multiple locations on the inner surface of the bowl walls, indicative of float contact. Removal of the float revealed that it was slightly twisted, with one side resting 1/16th inch above the other at its tip. The float was then tested for leaks, and none were found.

Service Bulletin SB-4 Rev. B, published by Volare Carburetors, LLC, on September 2, 2009, documented reports of stuck, leaking, and/or worn floats when the float-to-bowl clearance value was not correct. The bulletin encompassed MA series carburetors manufactured by Volare, Precision Airmotive, and Marvel-Schebler, and recommended either measuring the clearance immediately should symptoms exist, or within 100 flight hours or 90 days (which ever came first). The bulletin required the replacement of the floats if the tolerance was not met, then stamping of "FC" on the mounting flange adjacent to the throttle shaft. No logbook entry was found indicating this bulletin had been complied with, nor was there any evidence of "FC" being stamped on the flange.

White thread sealant compound was found on multiple fittings and bolt threads throughout the carburetor, including the inlet filter screen. Service Bulletin: SB-10 Rev B, published August 12, 2010, by Marvel-Schebler, describes the unauthorized use of such sealant. The service bulletin states that thread sealant should not be used on any carburetor component, as it has been found to break away and clog internal fuel passages. The service bulletin calls for immediate overhaul if any traces of sealant are observed.

Service Bulletin MSA-3, revision 1, published by Precision Airmotive on November 18, 1991 describes the overhaul periods for MA series float-type carburetors. The bulletin recommended replacement of all carburetors within 10 years of their placement into service. 

Additional Information

A fuel receipt provided by a fixed based operator at Paine Field revealed that the airplane was serviced with the addition of 41.2 gallons of 100 octane low-lead aviation gasoline about 30 minutes before the accident. The manager of the facility stated that two other aircraft purchased fuel immediately after the accident airplane, and neither reported issues. He also checked the fuel storage and delivery system for water contamination and found none.

NTSB Identification: WPR17LA096
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, May 02, 2017 in Mukilteo, WA
Aircraft: PIPER PA 32-260, registration: N3457W
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On May 2, 2017, at 1529 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260 airplane, N3457W, struck powerlines and traffic lights, and collided with the ground in Mukilteo, Washington, after a loss of engine power during takeoff from Snohomish County Airport (Paine Field). The airplane was registered to Klamath Aviation LLC., and operated by the private pilot as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot was not injured, the passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country flight departed Paine Field about 1527, with a planned destination of Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport, Klamath Falls, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot had just serviced the airplane with 41.2 gallons of fuel, and reported that he filled the main tanks to the "tabs", and both tip tanks to capacity. He performed a preflight airplane walkaround, and checked the fuel for contamination at the sump drains. No anomalies were noted, and he boarded the airplane, sitting in the left seat. Due to a Boeing 787 airplane performing tests at the arrival end of runway 16R, the pilot accepted an intersection departure from runway 16R, at taxiway A4 (with about 6,400 ft of runway remaining). He taxied to the runup area adjacent to the intersection, and performed pre-takeoff checks, and an engine runup. He stated that all systems were normal, and after turning on the auxiliary fuel pump, and confirming the fuel selector valve was set to the right tip tank, he taxied onto the runway and began the departure roll.

The pilot stated that the airplane accelerated appropriately, and he initiated a rotation at a speed of 80 mph. The airplane rotated, and continued to accelerate to 90 mph during the initial climb. The air traffic controller requested that the pilot perform a right turn when able, due to departing traffic behind, and the pilot reported that as soon he began the turn the airplane lost power.

The pilot estimated that the power loss occurred at an altitude of about 400 ft agl, and the airplane was not able to maintain altitude. He declared an emergency, and checked both the fuel selector valve and fuel mixture position, and confirmed the engine primer was in and locked. With limited time to troubleshoot, he began to turn his attention to performing a forced landing.

He could see an area of swamps and tall trees directly ahead, and to his right a busy six-lane road, running north-south. He could see to the right an east-west oriented road, which was free of traffic in the westbound lane. He maneuvered the airplane for landing in this lane, and has he approached, the right wing stuck a power transmission cable. Both wingtips then struck separate traffic light signals, rupturing the tip tanks, and spraying ignited fuel over cars waiting at the intersection below. The airplane then collided with the ground, and came to rest on the pavement.

A witness, who was positioned in his automobile at an intersection adjoining the runway, reported that his attention was drawn to the airplane before the collision, because it was emitting intermittent puffs of visible "exhaust".










MUKILTEO, Wash. - There were no injuries after a small plane force landed in Mukilteo on Tuesday afternoon.


The force landing happened at Harbour Pointe Boulevard Southwest and Mukilteo Speedway. 


Video from witness Guanting Li, who was in his car when the crash happened, shows the moments the plane crashed onto the street.


Plane fuel and fire rained down on the road and cars.


It clipped power lines, then the traffic light at Mukilteo Speedway,  and then hit at least five cars as it barreled down Harbour Pointe Boulevard.


Then, a ball of flames erupted when the plane crashed.


The pilot and passenger were able to get out and were not hurt.

The Federal Aviation Administration told KIRO 7 the aircraft was a single-engine Piper PA32. It crashed immediately after taking off from Runway 16R at  nearby Paine Field.

The pilot said he started started losing power and couldn't restart the engine.  As he began to go down, he saw that Harbour Pointe Boulevard was clear and open, and steered that direction.


 State Route 525 traffic was blocked in both directions but later reopened.


Snohomish County PUD said about 9,000 customers lost power in the area. 


 The FAA and NTSB will investigate. 


Paine Field is located in unincorporated Snohomish County, between Mukilteo and Everett, and about 30 miles north of downtown Seattle. The airport is home to more than 650 aircraft, including single-engine and corporate jets, and also is home to the Boeing manufacturing plant for the 747, 767, 777 and 787 aircraft. 


Story and video:  http://www.kiro7.com








MUKILTEO, Wash. -- A small plane that had just taken off from Paine Field crashed on a busy Mukilteo road Tuesday afternoon, sending a rain of fire down on cars idling in early rush hour traffic below.

Miraculously, only two people suffered minor injuries in the event, and only one needed to be hospitalized.

Dramatic dash cam video captured by driver Guanting Li shows the plane clip some power lines then erupt into a ball of fire as it hit the ground.

"I'm so lucky," said driver Amanda Hayes, who told KOMO News the plane's wing actually scraped her car as it came down. "I just said, 'Get down!' And before I know it, I could feel the heat on my face... and like the fireball and the wing clipped at the end."

"When it was over, I wasn't sure if we were OK, if our van was OK. I don't know, that's probably the closest I've come to really thinking, 'oh this is the end, ' " added Hayes.

"I heard an explosion, a big 'boom!' like this, and you saw the smoke blow up and then, 'whoosh' he hit the cars and then he went to the side of the road," said Elaine Warbus who witnessed the crash while stopped at the red light. "A plane literally fell out of the sky, right there on top of three or four other cars. It's a mess out there."

The Federal Aviation Administration says the plane is a single-engine Piper PA32, and that it crashed on Harbour Pointe Boulevard after taking off from Runway 16R at nearby Paine Field.

Mukilteo police say the plane lost power at around 500 feet and the pilot attempted to find an empty spot on the road to set down. However, the plane struck a power line and clipped a traffic signal, rupturing a fuel tank that ignited a mid-air fuel spill, dousing an SUV waiting at the traffic light below in burning fuel. The plane skidded to a stop on the southbound lanes of Harbour Pointe Boulevard, just yards from a gas station and hotel and a half block from Mukilteo's City Hall.

One person was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries while a second person was treated at the scene, Mukilteo police said. The pilot, a 30-year-old Oregon man, didn't report any injuries.

The ensuing crash and power outage created gridlock in the area as the busy Mukilteo Speedway was shut down at the start of the evening commute.

Tyler Smith told KOMO NewsRadio that he was coming out of the supermarket when he saw a cloud of smoke and discovered the small plane had crashed.

He said he saw a pilot and passenger walking away, and described it as a small plane with its wings clipped away.

Power was knocked out to several nearby homes and businesses. Snohomish County PUD crews restored power to all affected customers about an hour later.

The NTSB is now investigating the crash.

Story, video and photo gallery:   http://komonews.com

2 comments:

  1. This happened 60 miles from my home town. The two people are very lucky to be alive!

    ReplyDelete
  2. A lot of things happened here this day, bad things. But through it all our precious God and Savior was with the Pilot and occupant(s). I am so happy that all human life was saved, we need to give God his due in that he was right there with them.

    Mr. Terry L. Miller
    408 Airstrip Road
    Luray, Virginia 22835-2810

    ReplyDelete