# NTSB ANC86LA099: Piper PA-31-350, N4109E, Barrow, AK, July 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1986, 20:25 local (Jul 4, 1986, 04:25 UTC)
- Place: Barrow, AK
- Coordinates: 71.279838, -156.780075 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=71.2798&lon=-156.7801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA099

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system - leak (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - leak (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THERE WERE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ACFT BUT IT WAS DECIDED TO FLY IT BACK TO ANOTHER ARPT FOR REPAIRS. ENROUTE THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE RIGHT ENG BECAUSE OF AN OIL LEAK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CROSSFEED FUEL, THE PLT ACCIDENTLY PUSHED THE LEFT ENG FIRE WALL FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF PWR ON THE LEFT ENG. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE FORCED LANDING ON ROUGH TUNDRA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4109E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4109E-1996-08-16), registration cancelled 1996-08-16, S/N 318353003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 318353003
- Airframe hours: 1090
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2B 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1986, 6 hours before
- Departed: POINT LAY, AK
- Destination: BRW, BARROW, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,750 total, 86 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860703030369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860703030369A), Jul 3, 1986: Piper PA31350, Barrow, AK, Substantial damage. Shut down right engine due to oil leak. Accidentally closed left firewall cutoff valve. Landed gear up on tundra.

## Other investigations on N4109E (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC96FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96FA078), May 24, 1996: Piper PA-31-350 (N4109E), Point Hope, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight to ensure the nose baggage door was properly latched, and the subsequent opening of the baggage compartment door, which allowed items to collide with the left…
- [NTSB ANC90LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA062), Apr 17, 1990: Piper PA-31-350 (N4109E), Deadhorse, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.