# NTSB CEN09LA105: Piper PA-28R-201, N3064M, Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM, December 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 28, 2008, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM - Coordinates: 35.504722, -106.359725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5047&lon=-106.3597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Teledyne Continental Motors, FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 73145 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73145/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73145 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA105 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due a loss of oil pressure resulting in heat distress and mechanical failure of the engine. The reason for the loss of oil pressure was not determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Following a three-hour preheat, utilizing a Tanis heater, the flight departed and entered a cruise condition at 10,500 feet. While in cruise flight, the pilot noted a loss of oil pressure and reversed course to head back to the airport. While en route to the airport the engine began to run rough and eventually stopped running. During the forced landing, the right wing impacted a fence post resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed a large hole just above the number two cylinder orifice, in addition to mechanical damage throughout the engine. The number one and two connecting rods, bearings, and journals all exhibited extensive mechanical and lubrication damage consistent with oil starvation. An examination of the remaining engine components revealed no anomalies. The reason for the loss of oil pressure and oil starvation in the engine was not determined. ## Factual narrative On December 28, 2008, approximately 0830 mountain standard time, N3064M a single engine Piper PA-28R-201T airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field near Santa Fe Municipal Airport (KSAF), Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his three passengers were not injured. The cross-country flight departed KSAF approximately 0815 and was en route Scottsdale Airport (KSDL), Scottsdale, Arizona. According to the Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot, the airplane had been preheated for at least three hours, utilizing a Tanis heater, prior to departure. The airplane was at a cruise altitude of 10,500 feet when the pilot noticed a drop in oil pressure. The pilot decided to return to KSAF. While en route to KSAF, the engine began running rough "which progressed until it failed completely." During the forced landing to a field, the right wing contacted a fence post. The leading edge of the wing was crushed aft and wrinkled, the spar and several ribs were damaged, and the fuel tank was ruptured. Weather at KSAF was reported as winds calm, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature minus 8 degrees Celsius (C), dew point minus 16 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.32 inches of mercury. Temperatures three hours prior to the accident were recorded as low as minus 12 degrees C. The engine was removed from the airframe and shipped to Teledyne Continental Motors, in Mobile, Alabama, for further examination. Investigators from Teledyne Continental Motors and the National Transportation Safety Board examined the engine on April 30, 2009. During the examination, a large hole was noted on the left side of the crank case half, in-line, and above the orifice for the number two cylinder. Further examination revealed mechanical damage on the number one, three, and four bays of each crank case half. Mechanical damage was also noted on the rearward three camshaft lobes, the counterweight assembly on the crankshaft, and the cylinder skirt on the number one, two, three, and four cylinders. The number one and number two connecting rods, and connecting rod bearings were broken, fractured, and fragmented. These pieces exhibited thermal and mechanical damage. The bearing fragments exhibited lubrication and thermal distress. Examination of the crankshaft revealed mechanical damage, lubrication distress, and thermal discoloration to the number one and number two connecting rod journals. The remaining components in the engine exhibited normal operating and lubrication signatures. All oil galleys and passages were clear and free of blockages or contamination. No further anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3064M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3064M-2009-09-04), registration cancelled 2009-09-04, S/N 28R-7803162, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7803162 - Airframe hours: 2158 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2007 - Departed: KSAF, Sante Fe, NM - Destination: KSDL, Scottsdale, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 23, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 665 total, 22 in this make and model, 624 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KSAF ## 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 20081228853569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081228853569A), Dec 28, 2008: Piper PA28R201T, Sante Fe, NM, Substantial damage. On December 28, 2008, at 0830 mt, a Piper arrow, N3064M, registered to the pilot made an off airport landing on the santa domingo pueblo approximately 14 nmi… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73145. 6.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 604 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324726&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - TCM Engine Teardown Report (item 2, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324804&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=TCM%20Engine%20Teardown%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Oil evidence on wing (item 3, .PDF, 818 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324859&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Oil%20evidence%20on%20wing-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Hole in engine case (item 4, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324861&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Hole%20in%20engine%20case-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Wing damage (item 5, .PDF, 167 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324863&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Wing%20damage-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 6, .PDF, 252 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324727&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 479 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324728&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.