# NTSB DCA88MA011: Piper PA-31-350, N496SC, Kenai, AK, December 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1987, 06:11 local (10:11 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.659923, -150.900588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6599&lon=-150.9006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal, 2 serious, 2 minor; on the ground: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA88MA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15894/pdf
- Board report AAR8903 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8903.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA88MA011

## 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 - initial climb
  - 1 engine - failure,partial
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause)
  - induction air control,intake manifold - separation (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - 1 engine - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,camshaft - worn (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - trim setting - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - performed
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST DEPARTED THE RUNWAY WHEN HE REPORTED TO THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION THAT HE HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES TO BE ABOUT 300 FT ON A DESCENDING DOWNWIND. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS CIRCLING FOR RUNWAY ONE. SURVIVING PASSENGERS DESCRIBED THE ENGINES AS RUNNING ROUGH AND UNEVEN. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT'S WEIGHT WAS MORE THAN THE PILOT HAD CALCULATED AND THE C.G. WAS 3.4 INCHES FURTHER AFT THAN WAS CALCULATED. HOWEVER, THE WEIGHT AND C.G. WERE WITHIN LIMITS.EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE HAD AN EXTENSIVE CYLINDER HEAD CRACK, A PARTIALLY DISCONNECTED INTAKE PIPE, AND WAS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 55% OF RATED POWER. THE LEFT ENGINE HAD SEVEN SEVERLY WORN CAM LOBES. THE RUDDER TRIM WAS DEFLECTED FULL LEFT AT IMPACT. THE EVIDENCEINDICATED THAT THE PILOT HAD RETARDED THE THROTTLE FOR THE LEFT ENGINE AND WAS USING ONLY THE RIGHT ENGINE TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT. EXAM OF COMPANY CHECKLIST USAGE REVEALED SEVERAL DIFFERENT IMPROPER VERSIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N496SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N496SC-1991-04-01), registration cancelled 1991-04-01, S/N 317752077 (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: 31.7752077
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: South Central Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 16, 1987, 45 hours before
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: EMA, Kenai Muni, runway 1, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,500 total, 11,600 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ENA, 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 19871223080069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871223080069A), Dec 23, 1987: Piper PA31350, Kenai, AK, Destroyed, 6 fatal. Lost left engine on climbout. Flaps were down gear up mushed into trees rolled and crashed inverted into a house.

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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