# NTSB FTW85LA194: Piper PA-31-350, N3550N, Sallisaw, OK, April 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1985, 16:58 local (22:58 UTC)
- Place: Sallisaw, OK
- Coordinates: 35.459247, -94.800041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4592&lon=-94.8000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA194

## 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, cruise - normal
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine assembly,piston - overtemperature (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - overtemperature (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

AN ANNUAL INSPN HAD JUST BEEN COMPLETED (4/22/85) & EACH ENG HAD ABOUT 1 HR OF FLT TIME. THE PLT STATED THAT HE TOOK OFF & CLIMBED TO CRUISE AT 9000 FT, THEN CLOSED THE COWL FLAPS & SET THE FUEL SETTINGS FOR 75% POWER. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE NOTED OIL TRAILING FROM THE L ENG OIL ACCESS DOOR, BUT THE L OIL PRESSURE WAS IN THE NORMAL RANGE. HE THROTTLED BACK THE LEFT ENG & REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE NEAREST ARPT. THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE DIVERTING, HE SAW FIRE COMING FROM THE AFT END OF THE R ENG COMPARTMENT. THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE R ENG, DECLARED AN EMERG & SUBSEQUENTLY MADE AN EMERG/GEAR UP LANDING IN A WET FIELD. DRG AN APCH OVER TREES TO LAND, HE HAD TO MANEUVER TO AVOID POWER LINES. TEARDOWNS OF BOTH ENGS REVEALED MELTING ON THE EDGE & TOP OF SVRL PISTONS. ONE ENG HAD MELTING IN THE HEAD OF 1 CYLINDER & ITS EXHAUST VLV SEATWAS DAMAGED. NO MAINTENANCE OR PRE-ACDNT DISCREPANCIES WERE FND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN PRE-IGNITION OR DETONATION. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE RPRTD FIRE WAS ACTUALLY OIL BEING USED & IGNITED BY THE TURBO-CHARGERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3550N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8052038
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bashor/Palmer & Assoc. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1985, 1 hours before
- Departed: TUL, TULSA, OK
- Destination: MOB, MOBILE, AL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,730 total, 62 in this make and model, 3,071 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSM, 35 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 19850422016949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850422016949A), Apr 22, 1985: Piper PA31350, Sallisaw, OK, Substantial damage. Pilot operated newly overhauled engines improperly and without break in. Landed in a field. Leaking oil caught fire

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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