FTW86LA029

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA-31-325 · Junction, TX · December 29, 1985

Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
December 29, 1985, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
Place
Junction, TX
Injuries
1 serious, 1 minor, 5 uninjured
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N27842Piper PA-31-325
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19851229063869A
Case key
21990

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanicalTakeoff - initial climb
Lubricating system - openCause
Aircraft preflight - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Fluid,oil - loss,partialCause
Procedures/directives - improperPilot in commandCause
FireDescent - emergency
Remedial action - not understoodPilot in commandCause
Forced landingDescent - emergency

Analysis

During initial climb after takeoff the pilot noticed oil streaming out from the oil filler access door on the right engine cowling. He elected to continue climbing and make a tear drop turn back to the airport and land in the opposite direction from which he had departed. He announced his intentions on UNICOM radio. Another pilot responded that he was presently on the runway but would clear it as soon as posible. The subject pilot then decided to make a go around. During this time the right front seat passenger stated he observed flames in the right engine cowl. The piloit shut down the engine and feathered the propeller. He added full power to the left engine and retracted the landing gear and flaps. He was unable to maintain altitude and decided to make a forced landing straight ahead in an open field. He had to pull up once to avoid a power line and maneuver to avoid an antenna. He made a successful forced landing and all occupants exited. The flames quickly spread and the aircraft was consumed by ground fire.

Aircraft

Registration
N27842
Reported as
Piper PA-31-325
Category
Airplane
Serial number
31-7912055
Airframe hours
1,490
Engine
Lycoming TIO-540-F2BD, 325 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
W. D. Norton
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · October 15, 1985
Departed
JCT · Junction, TX
Destination
PHX · Phoenix, AZ
Airport
JCT · Kimble Co.

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
36
Certificates
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
3,200 total · 420 in this make and model · 3,005 as pilot in command · 142 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
180° at 8 knots
Visibility
20 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
61 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.