# NTSB DEN01LA107: Piper PA-28R-180, N3708T, Albuquerque, NM, June 1, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2001, 20:34 local (Jun 1, 2001, 02:34 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.060115, -106.619613 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0601&lon=-106.6196&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52386 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52386/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA107 ## Probable cause the pilot's diminished visual lookout, resulting in the wire strike. Contributing factors were the total mechanical failure of the cylinder, dusk, and the power transmission line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - visual lookout - diminished, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) ## Analysis After taking off and climbing to an altitude of 200 feet, the pilot heard "a single loud pop." The engine continued to develop some power but not enough for the airplane to return to the airport. The pilot said "dusk hampered visibility somewhat," and he didn't see the power lines ahead until it was too late. The right wing struck a power line and was torn off, and the airplane impacted a mesa. Examination disclosed the number 1 (right front, as viewed from the cockpit) cylinder head had separated from the cylinder barrel. The engine had accumulated 1,933.15 hours total time when it was given a "certified overhaul to new engine tolerances zero-time equivalent" and reinstalled in the airplane in 1988. Two years later, all of the cylinders were removed and the camshaft lobes and lifter faces were visually inspected for premature wear and galling. No unusual wear was noted. Only routine maintenance was recorded thereafter. At the time of the accident, the engine had accrued 1,585.04 hours since overhaul. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2001, at 2034 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N3708T, registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed when it collided with a power line during a forced landing 2 miles south of the Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated approximately 2030. After the airplane took off from runway 21 and climbed to an altitude of 200 feet, the pilot heard "a single loud pop." He reported the situation to control tower personnel, advised he was returning for landing, and was cleared to land on any runway. The engine continued to develop some power but not enough for the airplane to return to the airport. The pilot deployed full flaps, lowered the landing gear, and slowed to "the low 50's IAS" (indicated airspeed). The pilot said "dusk hampered visibility somewhat," and he didn't see power lines ahead until it was too late. At this point, "engine power failed totally." The right wing struck the power line and was torn off and the airplane impacted a mesa. FAA inspectors went to the scene and reported the number 1 (right front, as viewed from the cockpit) cylinder head had separated from the cylinder barrel. The engine, a Lycoming IO-360-B1E (s/n RL-4997-51A) had accumulated 1,933.15 hours total time when, on March 21, 1988, it was given a "certified overhaul to new engine tolerances zero-time equivalent" by Pacific Continental Engines, Inc., in Van Nuys, California. It was installed in N3708T on April 5, 1988. According to the engine logbook, all of the cylinders were removed on June 15, 1990, and the camshaft lobes and lifter faces were visually inspected for premature wear and galling. No unusual wear was noted. Thereafter, only routine maintenance was recorded. At the time of the accident, the engine had accrued 1,585.04 hours since overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3708T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3708T-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 28R-30012, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-300012 - Airframe hours: 9500 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George C. Dostal - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 2001, 22 hours before - Departed: ABQ, Albuquerque, NM - Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque Int'l Sunport, runway 21, 10,000 × 150 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 19, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 2,692 total, 2,672 in this make and model, 2,355 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: ABQ, 2 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 20010531010099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010531010099A), May 31, 2001: Piper PA28R180, Albuquerque, NM, No damage. (.19)On may 31, 2001, at 2034 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N3708T, registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed during a forced… 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.