# NTSB CEN11LA262: Piper PA-30, N7849Y, Ruidoso, NM, April 3, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 2011, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Ruidoso, NM
- Coordinates: 33.460834, -105.529998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4608&lon=-105.5300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78747/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78747
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA262

## Probable cause

The left engine's intermittent loss of power during initial climb for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude at the time of the accident.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Following the initial climb after takeoff, and while approximately 200 feet above ground level, the airplane's left engine experienced an intermittent loss of power. Unable to maintain altitude, the airplane collided with the airport's perimeter fence and the left wing struck a tree. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest in an upright position in a field adjacent to the airport. Per the airplane's pilot operating handbook, the single-engine service ceiling was listed as 5,800 feet density altitude; the calculated density altitude around the time of the accident was 9,040 feet. An airframe and powerplant mechanic with an inspection authorization examined both engines following the accident and noted no abnormalities that would have prevented either engine from producing power. The reason for the left engine's intermittent loss of power could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

On April 3, 2011, about 1300 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N7849Y, experienced an intermittent loss of left engine power during initial climb from the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport (SRR), Ruidoso, New Mexico. The airline transport pilot subsequently executed a forced landing and neither he nor the passenger was injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the cross-country flight destined for the Eagle's Nest Estates Airport (2TS6), Midlothian, Texas. According to the pilot, around 200-feet above ground level (AGL), the airplane's left engine began operating intermittently with reduced power. The pilot added that because of the partial loss of engine power, along with high density altitude, turbulence, and wind shear, he was unable to maintain altitude. The airplane collided with the airport's perimeter fence and the left wing struck a tree. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest in an upright position in a field adjacent to the airport. Logbook entries provided to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), documented previous occurrences where the left engine experienced partial power loss. An entry dated December 11, 2009, reported that the left engine would not reach expected static RPM and that it ran "rough." The fuel flow divider was removed, cleaned, and reinstalled. The engine would then reach expected static RPM and was returned to service. An entry on February 2, 2010, stated that the airplane was landed due to a "rough' running left engine. Following the discovery of fuel contamination, the fuel system was flushed and the engine returned to service. An airframe and powerplant mechanic (A&P), with an inspection authorization (IA), examined both engines. Engine continuity was established through each engine and the magnetos produced spark when rotated. A differential cylinder compression test was performed on each cylinder. The right engine cylinders ranged from 65 to 72 PSI over 80 PSI and the left engine cylinders ranged from 62 to 68 PSI over 80 PSI. Both inlet air filters, along with the fuel servo inlet screens, were found to be unobstructed. The mechanic reported that no abnormalities were noted that would have prevented either engine from producing power. The airplane's weight at the time of the accident was calculated to be approximately 231 pounds below the maximum gross weight of 3,600 pounds. In addition, the center of gravity (CG) was calculated to be within limits. Per the pilot operating handbook (POH), the service ceiling for the airplane was listed as 18,600 feet density altitude and the single-engine service ceiling as 5,800 feet density altitude. The calculated density altitude around thetime of the accident was 9,040 feet. At 1315, the automated weather observing system at SRR reported, wind from 230 degrees at 37 knots with gust to 46 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear of clouds, temperature 68 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 16 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.86 inches of Mercury. The reason for the left engine's intermittent loss of power could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7849Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7849Y-2011-07-28), registration cancelled 2011-07-28, S/N 30-929, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-929
- Airframe hours: 5675
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 2011
- Departed: SRR, Ruidoso, NM
- Destination: 2TS6, Midlothian, TX
- Airport: SRR, Sierra Blanca Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight engineer, military, commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 16, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 65 in this make and model, 15,035 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 37 knots, gusting 46
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: SRR, 1 nm away

## 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 20110403005709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110403005709A), Apr 3, 2011: Piper PA-30, Ruidoso, NM, Substantial damage. On April 3, 2011, at approximately 1320 MDT, N7849Y, a Piper PA-30-160, s/n 30929, registered to dale a. mccombs departed srr on a VFR flight to 2TS6. The…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78747. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350307&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Density Altitude Calculations (item 2, .PDF, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350308&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Density%20Altitude%20Calculations-Master.PDF
- Weight & Balance Calculations (item 3, .PDF, 476 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weight%20%26%20Balance%20Calculations-Master.PDF
- Left Engine Logbook (item 4, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350310&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Left%20Engine%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF
- Engine Exam (item 5, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Exam-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.

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