# NTSB FTW83FA252: Piper PA-60, N52AC, New Orleans, LA, May 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1983, 10:04 local (15:04 UTC)
- Place: New Orleans, LA
- Coordinates: 29.970436, -90.030982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9704&lon=-90.0310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA252

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - lubricating system,oil hose - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - lubricating system,oil hose - life expired (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - lubricating system,oil hose - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - loss,total (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT WHEN THE ACFT WAS STABILIZED ON FINAL APCH, IT PITCHED UP SLIGHTLY & YAWED, THEN ROLLED LEFT TO AN INVERTED ATTITUDE & CRASHED IN A CANAL. SEVERAL WITNESSES STATED THAT THE LEFT PROP WAS WINDMILLING. ONE STATED THE LEFT PROP HAD STOPPED. TWO OTHERS SAID SMOKE WAS TRAILING FROM THE ACFT. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT AFTER THE ACFT PASSED OVER HIS CAR, A FINE MIST OF OIL FELL ON HIS WINDSHIELD. WHEN THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE CANAL, THE LEFT PROP WAS FOUND IN THE FEATHERED POSITION WHILE THE RIGHT PROP WAS NEAR ITS LOW PITCH STOPS. THE LEFT PROP DOME WAS FOUND DEPLETED OF AIR PRESSURE & NO OIL WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT ENG CASE. ALSO, AN OIL FILM WAS FOUND ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LEFT ENG, LEFT FLAP & LEFT STABILIZER. A FURTHER EXAM REVEALED THAT AN OIL INTERCONNECT LINE, PIPER PN: 920024-811, HAD FAILED INSIDE ITS FIRE PROOF COVERING. THE HOSE WAS 8 YRS OLD, ITS RECOMENDED REPLACEMENT INTERVAL WAS 5 YRS. IT HADBEEN INSTALLED WITH A SMALL BEND RADIUS. ALSO, THE LEFT ENG HAD EVIDENCE OF HEAT & WEAR DUE TO LACK OF OIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52AC-2012-02-02), registration cancelled 2012-02-02, S/N 61-0019, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601) (registry code 8360606) (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: 61-0019
- Airframe hours: 2809
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-P1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Haller Airconditioning Maint.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1982, 11 hours before
- Departed: M507, DIAMOND HEAD, MS
- Airport: NEW, Lakefront, runway 36L, 5,800 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: NEW

## 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 19830530075799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830530075799A), May 30, 1983: Piper PA60601, New Orleans, LA, Destroyed. Crash occurred when left engine failed during 360 turn for spacing on final approach for landing.

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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