# NTSB CHI83LA424: Piper PA-31-350, N62971, Wheeling, IL, September 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1983, 20:10 local (Sep 12, 1983, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Wheeling, IL
- Location: 42.1149° N, 87.9020° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CHICAGO EXEC (PWK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1149&lon=-87.9020&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12342
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA424
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12342/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA424

## 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, takeoff - roll/run
  - engine assembly - improper (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,push rod - incorrect (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WENT OFF THE RWY AND COLLAPSED THE LANDING GEAR AFTER POWER LOSS DURING TAKEOFF. THREE OF THE PASSENGERS FURNISHED STATEMENTS AND 2 SEEMED TO THINK THAT THE LEFT ENGINE QUIT. THE ACFT TURNED TO THE RIGHT BUT THE PILOT DID NOTKNOW WHICH ENGINE QUIT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE LEFT PROPELLER BLADES WERE IN FEATHER BUT ALL THE STOPS WERE BROKEN. THE RIGHT PROP BLADES WERE BENT BUT IN HIGH PITCH. DURING A LATER TEST RUN THE RIGHT ENGINE PRODUCED 48 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE BUT THE LEFT PRODUCED ONLY 40 INCHES. THE RIGHT ENGINE HAD AN OIL LEAK DRIPPING ONTO THE TURBO-CHARGER. THE PUSH ROD COVERS WERE COVERED WITH A SILICONE SEALANT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62971](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62971-2014-02-25), registration cancelled 2014-02-25, S/N 31-7752013 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7772013
- Airframe hours: 2817
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-542-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: The Ertl Company
- Registered owner: Mound City Industries
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: DBQ, DUNBUQUE, IA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PWK, Palwaukee, runway 24, 3,652 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,041 total, 1,966 in this make and model, 49,011 as pilot in command, 178 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830911050029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830911050029A), Sep 11, 1983: Piper PA31350, Wheeling, IL, Substantial damage. Engine malfunction during takeoff roll caused pilot to lose directional control and aircraft veered off runway.

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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