Saturday, June 15, 2019

Loss of Engine Power (partial): Piper PA-34-220T Seneca III, N263DM, accident occurred November 25, 2017 near Ebensburg Airport (9G8), Cambria County, Pennsylvania

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
CMI; Mexico, Missouri
Piper; Wichita, Kansas

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/N263DM




Location: Ebensburg, PA
Accident Number: ERA18LA032
Date & Time: 11/25/2017, 1345 EST
Registration: N263DM
Aircraft: PIPER PA 34-220T
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 4 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On November 25, 2017, about 1345 eastern standard time, a Piper PA 34-220T, N263DM, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during a go-around at the Ebensburg Airport (9G8), Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. The private pilot and the three passengers were seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at the Daviess County Airport (DCY), Washington, Indiana, about 1100, and destined for 9GB.

The pilot stated that the airplane's left engine had just recently started to leak a significant amount of oil; however, two mechanics looked at the engine the day before the accident flight and the source of the leak could not be located. On the day of the accident, the pilot said he topped off his fuel tanks and put two quarts of oil in the left engine, bringing the oil level up to seven quarts. He then departed for Pennsylvania. The flight was uneventful until he was about 10 to15 miles out from 9G8, when the left engine low-oil-pressure light came on. When the airplane was five miles from the airport, the left engine experienced a total loss of power and the propeller feathered. The wind at the destination airport was out of the west, so the pilot initially planned to land on runway 25; however, due to only one working engine, he elected to land downwind on runway 07. The approach ended up being too fast and too high, and the pilot decided to go-around. As the airplane began a shallow climb, the pilot entered a left turn to avoid mountains. While in the turn, the pilot realized that he was "not going to make it" back to the airport and increased the right engine's throttle to full power. He knew this would over-boost the engine and it eventually stopped producing power. The airplane stalled and impacted trees.

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed both wings, the tail section, and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. Oil was noted on the top and underneath side of the left engine cowling flowing back from the oil filler door. Oil was also observed underneath the left wing. The flaps and landing gear were fully retracted. Flight control continuity was established for all flight control from the cockpit to their respective flight control. The fuel tank in each wing was breached from impact. The left-wing fuel selector valve was in the ON position and the fuel strainer was absent of debris. No fuel was in the bowl. The right-wing selector valve was also in the ON position, the bowl was empty, and the screen was absent of debris. Air pressure was applied to the valves and both lines were clear.

The left engine exhibited some impact damage and the three-bladed propeller remained secure to the engine. The propeller blades were feathered. An attempt was made to manually rotate the engine via the propeller, but it would only move about 20-30°. As a result, valve train continuity and compression could not be established. The fuel injectors were removed from each cylinder and were absent of debris. Both magnetos were removed from the engine and when manually rotated, and spark was produced to each ignition lead.

The oil filler cap was on the filler neck but did not seat properly and would partially lift off the seat if it was pulled upwards. The locking mechanism of the cap was corroded, and the locking tangs were slightly bent. The oil filter was secure to the engine and removed. The element was removed, and metallic debris was observed. The oil pump was secure to the engine and removed. The pump was disassembled, and some scoring was noted on the housing. The oil quick drain plug was broken off the oil sump from impact. When the oil sump was removed, large pieces of metal were noted in the base of the engine. Some of these pieces were identified as the connecting rod caps.

A teardown examination of the engine revealed the No.1 and No. 2 connecting rods had failed and their associated crankshaft journals displayed heat distress. The No.1 piston exhibited signatures of detonation. The source of the oil leak reported by the pilot prior to the accident flight was could not be traced to any point on the engine crankcase. It was also not determined what caused the piston to detonate, but a download of the onboard electronic engine analyzer revealed that the cylinder head temperature was higher on that cylinder for most of the accident flight.

The right engine exhibited some impact damage and the three-bladed propeller remained secured to the engine. The top spark plugs, and rocker covers were removed. The engine was rotated via manual rotation of the propeller and compression and valve train continuity were established for each cylinder. Spark was produced to each ignition lead. The fuel pump was removed, and a small amount of fuel was found in the pump. The fuel was collected into a cup and it appeared light blue in color with no evidence of water or debris. The fuel manifold valve was intact and disassembled. A small amount of fuel was observed in the valve and the screen was removed. It was absent of debris.

The oil filter was intact and removed. The filter was opened, and the element was partially removed. No evidence of metal or debris was noted, and the oil was dark in color. The oil filler cap was secured to the filler neck and had a proper seat. The oil dipstick was pulled, and a small amount of oil was measured on the bottom of the stick. The oil quick drain plug was broken off the oil sump from impact. No mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation of the engine.

A review of maintenance records revealed that the airplane and engines' last annual inspection was conducted on May 1, 2017. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued a total of 3,502.3 hours. Both engines had accrued a total of 1,645 hours since major overhaul. According to Continental Motors Service Information Letter (SIL98-9C), the recommended time between overhaul for the L/TSIO 360-KB engines installed on the airplane was 1,800 hours.

Examination of the front right seat passenger's seatbelt/shoulder harness assembly revealed that it was secure to all structural attach points and the lap belt worked when manually buckled; however, the metal grommet that secured the shoulder harness to the lap belt was not fitted with a plastic bushing. The resulted in the shoulder harness not fitting securely to the lap belt. The pilots seatbelt/shoulder harness assembly was intact to all structural attach points and the lap belt worked when manually buckled. The lap belt's shoulder harness grommet had a plastic bushing and the shoulder harness seated tightly when the shoulder harness was attached. The rear forward facing seats were equipped with lap belts only and both were secure at all attach points and worked when manually buckled.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land, as well as instrument airplane. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on June 12, 2017. The pilot reported a total of 432 total flight hours, of which, 300 hours were in multi-engine airplanes.

Weather at John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, about 7 miles southwest of the accident site, at 1354, was reported as wind from 260° at 16 knots gusting to 21 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 3,600 ft, overcast ceiling at 5,000 ft, temperature 11° C, dewpoint 02° C, and an altimeter setting of 29.71 inHg.




Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 59, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/12/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/03/2016
Flight Time:  432 hours (Total, all aircraft), 277 hours (Total, this make and model), 316 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 



Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:  PIPER
Registration: N263DM
Model/Series: PA 34-220T 220T
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 348133101
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/01/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 4751 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 47 Hours
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3502.3 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: LTSIO-360-KB
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 220 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: JST, 2284 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 1354 EST
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3600 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 5000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 16 knots / 21 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 260°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.71 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Washington, IN (DCY)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Ebensburg, PA (9G8)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1100 EST
Type of Airspace: Unknown 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 3 Serious
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 4 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 40.485000, -78.724722 (est)

1 comment:

  1. If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't .

    Problems don't fix themselves and don't get better.

    Ground the plane until it's figured out and fixed even if it's inconvenient and expensive.

    Wishing all involved a complete recovery.

    ReplyDelete