- Date
- March 1, 1991, 16:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place
- Fort Chaffee, AR
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N7488SPiper PA-60-600
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 8, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19910301003829A
- Case key
- 23251
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's operation of the aircraft with known deficiencies in equipment. Factors were the improper overhaul of the engines by other maintenance personnel resulting in oil loss, deteriorated engine performance, and unsuitable terrain.
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.
Analysis
The pilot of the multi-engine aircraft reported that his right engine was losing oil as he was climbing to cruise altitude. He secured the engine, feathered the propeller, and maneuvered to return to the airport. The pilot trimmed the aircraft for single engine operation and extended the main landing gear. During the approach, the operating left engine would not develop full power and the pilot reported to ATC that he could not make the airport. The aircraft continued its emergency descent, impacted trees, and descended uncontrolled through a densely wooded area. A fuel tank ruptured during the uncontrolled descent through the trees and a fire/explosion occurred. The aircraft continued to burn after ground impact. Both engines were disassembled and numerous mechanical anomalies were found. They had been recently overhauled. This was the first flight of the aircraft since the engine overhauls. The pilot/owner was en route to sell the aircraft when the accident occurred.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N7488S
- Reported as
- Piper PA-60-600
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 60-0045-100
- Engine
- Lycoming IO-540-G1B5, 290 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Lawrence R. Edwards
- Registered owner
- Lawrence R. Edwards
- Departed
- FSM · Fort Smith, AR
- Destination
- VKS · Vicksburg, MS
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
- 47
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Expired
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 1,800 total · 500 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 240° at 14 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility
- 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.