# NTSB FTW85FA123: Piper PA-601P, N60817, Bentonville, AR, February 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1985, 07:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Bentonville, AR
- Coordinates: 36.360889, -94.200408 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3609&lon=-94.2004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA123

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - lubricating system,oil line - failure,total (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil line - corroded (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - emergency
  - hydraulic system,pump - improper
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - animal(s)
  - object - fence
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED LIVESTOCK, A FENCE AND THE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR ON THE RIGHT ENG. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER HE FEATHERED THE RIGHT ENG PROP AND LOWERED THE GEAR HE NOTED THE AUX HYDRAULIC SYSTEM PRESSURE GAGE WAS INDICATING ZERO. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION DISCLOSED EVIDENCE OF AN OIL LEAK FROM THE LEFT LOWER SECTION OF THE RIGHT ENG. TESTS REVEALED THE LEAK ORIGINATED FROM THE OIL COOLER PRESSURE LINE WHICH FAILED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION OF THE WIRE BRAID AND DEFORMATION OF THE INNER COVER. TESTING OF THE AUX HYDRAULIC PRESSURE PUMP DISCLOSED THE 35 AMPERE CURRENT LIMITER WAS BLOWN AND 40 AMPERES WERE REQUIRED TO DRIVE THE PUMP MOTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60817](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60817-1988-04-08), registration cancelled 1988-04-08, S/N 61P-0758-8063376 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-601P
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P075880633
- Airframe hours: 616
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robson S. Walton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1984, 95 hours before
- Departed: H00
- Destination: LIT, LITTLE ROCK, AR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: H00, Bentonville Muni, runway 35, 4,090 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,232 total, 19 in this make and model, 1,142 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FYV, 20 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 19850222004219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850222004219A), Feb 22, 1985: Piper STCPA60, Bentonville, AR, Destroyed. Right engine failed during climb. Unable to make airport after gear extended. Struck fence and steers in a feed lot

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.