# NTSB DEN06LA045: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N7824T, Manhattan, KS, March 1, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 1, 2006, 11:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Manhattan, KS - Coordinates: 39.141109, -96.670829 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1411&lon=-96.6708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 63316 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63316/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06LA045 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to the intermittent grounding of the left magneto "P" lead, causing the fuel controller to search and the engine to surge then lose power, and the pilot's failure to attain proper runway alignment. Contributing factors were the runway sign and taxiway lights. ## Analysis The pilot said "the engine began to surge in power slightly as the airplane was rotated for liftoff from runway 03. During climbout, he notified the tower of a "possible engine problem," and the engine continued surging. As the pilot executed a slow left turn towards runway 13, the engine started losing power. He managed to land on runway 13 near the intersection with runway 03-21. The airplane was not aligned with the runway centerline, and went off the side of the runway. The left wing struck an elevated runway marker and taxiway lights. Both wing spars were damaged and the left wing was twisted down. An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the airplane and engine and reported finding an exposed left magneto "P" lead touching the connector shell. This could "cause an intermittent grounding of the left magneto," and result in the "fuel control[er] hunting to compensate [and] producing an engine power surge." ## Factual narrative On March 1, 2006, approximately 1140 central standard time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, N7824T, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the it struck several runway lights and a taxiway sign during a forced landing at the Manhattan Regional Airport (MHK), Manhattan, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Olathe, Kansas. According to the pilot's accident report, "the engine began to surge in power slightly" as the airplane was rotated for liftoff from runway 03. During climbout, the pilot notified the tower of a "possible engine problem," and the engine continued surging. As the pilot executed a slow left turn towards runway 13, the engine started losing power. He managed to land on runway 13 near the intersection with runway 03-21. The airplane was not aligned with the runway centerline, and went off the side of the runway. The left wing struck an elevated runway marker and taxiway lights. Both wing spars were damaged and the left wing was twisted down. On March 8, an FAA airworthiness inspector examined the airplane and engine. In an e-mail dated March 17, he reported finding an exposed left magneto "P" lead touching the connector shell, which could "cause an intermittent grounding of the left magneto," resulting in the "fuel control[er] hunting to compensate [and] producing an engine power surge." ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - ignition system,magneto grounding lead (p-lead) - shorted (cause) - fuel injection control/system - surge - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - object - sign (contributing factor) - object - taxiway light (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7824T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7824T), registered now, S/N 32R-7887032, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32RT-300T - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (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: 32R-7887032 - Airframe hours: 2800 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark S. Holcomb - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2006, 11 hours before - Departed: MHK, Manhattan, KS - Destination: OJC, Olathe, KS - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: MHK, Manhattan Regional, runway 13, 3,801 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,810 total, 950 in this make and model, 1,670 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: MHK ## 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 20060301002699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060301002699A), Mar 1, 2006: Piper PA32RT300T, Manhattan, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft began a take-off roll on runway 3. At rotation, the aircraft engine began to surge in power slightly. As the aircraft began to climb the… 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.