# NTSB FTW92LA178: Piper PA-44-180, N46RJ, Port Isabel, TX, July 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1992, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Port Isabel, TX
- Coordinates: 26.069953, -97.220024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0700&lon=-97.2200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA178

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF POWER TO THE RIGHT ENGINE DUE TO A FRACTURED CRANKSHAFT WHILE THE LEFT ENGINE WAS SECURED. FACTORS WERE THE DUAL STUDENTS FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT WHILE PERFORMING MANEUVERS AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - 1 engine
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - carburetor heat - not used, dual student (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - 1 engine
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fractured (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE DUAL STUDENT HAD PERFORMED SEVERAL MANEUVERS WITH THE LEFT ENGINE WINDMILLING AND DID NOT USE CARBURETOR HEAT WHEN CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS PREVAILED. UPON COMPLETING A MANEUVER AND RETURNING TO CRUISE FLIGHT, A POWER LOSS OCCURRED TO THE LEFT ENGINE. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND INITIATED A NORMAL DESCENT TOWARD A NEARBY AIRPORT. DURING THE DESCENT, HE SECURED THE LEFT ENGINE. AS THE AIRPLANE TURNED BASE TO FINAL APPROACH, THE RIGHT ENGINE'S CRANKSHAFT FRACTURED AND A FORCED LANDING HAD TO BE MADE TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFULLY TEST RUN AFTER THE ACCIDENT. A TEARDOWN OF THE RIGHT ENGINE REVEALED THE FRACTURED CRANKSHAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46RJ-2002-12-11), registration cancelled 2002-12-11, S/N 44-8195006, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-8195006
- Airframe hours: 11242
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Southwind Flt Trng System Inc
- Registered owner: Avlease Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 13, 1992, 95 hours before
- Departed: BRO, BROWNSVILLE, TX
- Airport: T31, Port Isabel-Cameron Cty, runway 13, 8,000 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 871 total, 140 in this make and model, 802 as pilot in command, 283 in the last 90 days, 88 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 77 °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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920703055259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920703055259A), Jul 3, 1992: Piper PA44180, Port Isabel, TX, Substantial damage. Lost left engine on VMC demo. Headed for airport,lost right engine. Left had carb icing. Right engine threw a rod.

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.