# NTSB FTW84FA121: Piper PA-32RT-300, N2115D, New Orleans, LA, January 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1984, 02:09 local (08:09 UTC)
- Place: New Orleans, LA
- Coordinates: 30.020011, -90.019447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0200&lon=-90.0194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21101/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA121

## 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, descent - normal
  - ignition system,magneto - overtemperature (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ENG QUIT AS THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING FOR AN APPROACH INTO MOISANT ARPT & THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE MAGNETO DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK WAS SEVERELY CRACKED & BOTH SETS OF BREAKER POINTS WERE DISPLACED AWAY FROM THE BREAKER CAM. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP IN THE MAGNETO. THE ROTATING MAGNETO SHAFT REAR BEARING WAS 'LOCKED UP' & HAD CAUSED THE BEARING RETAINER TO SPIN WITHIN THE DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK. THE INNER RACE HAD APPARENTLY WELDED ITSELF ONTO THE SHAFT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP IN THE BEARING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2115D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 70985029
- Airframe hours: 4084
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Roger B. Roshing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 20, 1984, 15 hours before
- Departed: THL, TALLAHASSEE, FL
- Destination: MSY, NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: NGW, Lakefront

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,650 total, 250 in this make and model, 6,750 as pilot in command, 225 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEW, 9 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 19840123002519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840123002519A), Jan 23, 1984: Piper PA32RT300, New Orleans, LA, Substantial damage. Lost engine power IFR at night inbound on approach. Right magneto had failed. Ditched in lake. Used wrong n number.

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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