# NTSB DEN89LA098: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N48DL, Alamosa, CO, April 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1989, 09:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Alamosa, CO
- Coordinates: 37.459022, -105.869087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4590&lon=-105.8691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17690
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17690/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA098

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE TERRAIN CONDITION IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING FLT AT 16,000 FT, THE ENG LOST POWER & BEGAN VIBRATING. THE PLT CONTACTED ARTCC & ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTIONS TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING AT THE ALAMOSA ARPT.  HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE ARPT & SELECTED A FIELD ABOUT 1 MI AWAY.DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT ENCTRD SVRL IRRIGATION DITCHES & THE GEAR COLLAPSED.  AN EXAM REVEALED THE ENG CRANKSHAFT HAD FAILED AT THE #2 & #3 JOURNALS.  THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE #2 PIN HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE, THEN THE #3 PIN FAILED FROM OVERLOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N48DL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8231025
- Airframe hours: 1314
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lyons, Dean P.
- Registered owner: Dean P Lyons, M.D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1988, 126 hours before
- Departed: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Destination: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,530 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 1,530 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19890403006019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890403006019A), Apr 3, 1989: Piper PA28RT201T, Alamosa, CO, Substantial damage. Engine power loss and vibration at FL160. Tried for als but crashed short. Crankshaft failed NR2 and 3 journals.

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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