# NTSB CHI91FA035: Piper PA-31T2, N1879W, Des Moines, IA, November 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1990, 10:16 local (16:16 UTC)
- Place: Des Moines, IA
- Coordinates: 41.530776, -93.659553 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5308&lon=-93.6596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA035

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES BY NOT FEATHERING THE LEFT ENGINE AFTER IT LOST POWER AND/OR WAS SHUT DOWN, AND HIS FAILURE TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT AT OR ABOVE THE MINIMUM CONTROL AIRSPEED (VMC), WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: AN UNDETERMINED PROBLEM CONCERNING THE LEFT ENGINE THAT CAUSED IT TO LOSE POWER OR PROMPTED THE PILOT TO SHUT IT DOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - 1 engine
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach

## Analysis

ON FINAL APPROACH, AFTER BEING CLEARED TO LAND, THE PILOT INFORMED THE CONTROLLER THAT HE MIGHT HAVE TO SHUT DOWN AN ENGINE. HE DECLINED TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY OR REQUEST ASSISTANCE. ON SHORT FINAL, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO ROLL TO THE LEFT AND DESCENT INTO THE TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE LEFT ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING POWER, ALTHOUGH THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS NOT FEATHERED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS PRODUCING HIGH POWER DURING IMPACT. NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCY OF THE LEFT ENGINE OR PROPELLER WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1879W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1879W-1991-01-25), registration cancelled 1991-01-25, S/N 31T8166065 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T2
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T2](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t2) (registry code 7103127) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T-8166065
- Engines: P&W PT6A-135 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Century Life Of America
- Departed: MSN, MADISON, WI
- Destination: DSM
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DSM, Des Moines Intl, runway 30R, 9,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,754 total, 4,093 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: DSM

## 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 19901129052179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901129052179A), Nov 29, 1990: Piper PA31T2, Des Moines, IA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost left engine on final, made steep left turn, rolled prior impact. Gear up and slow on final.

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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