# NTSB LAX84FA049: Piper 601P, N9774Q, Helendale, CA, November 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1983, 15:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Helendale, CA
- Coordinates: 36.430137, -119.690437 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4301&lon=-119.6904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23904
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23904/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - turbine assembly,shroud - chafed (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE RIGHT ENGINE MANIFOLD PRESSURE FELL TO ZERO. THE ENGINE WAS FEATHERED AND SET UP FOR SINGLE ENGINE PERFORMANCE BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DESCEND. SUITABLE AIRPORTS WERE FLOWN OVER DURING THE DESCENT AND THE ACFT FINALLY LANDED IN AN ALFALFA FIELD. EXAMIATION OF THE RIGHT ENGINE REVEALED SEVERE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS AND BOTH MAGNETO 'P' LEADS SHORTED. AN OIL VENT HOSE ROUTED ON THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE INBOARD TURBOCHARGER ALSO DISPLAYED SEVERE HEAT DAMAGE. THE OUTER LAYER OF A HEAT SHIELD ATTACHED TO THE TURBOCHARGER WAS FOUND TORN OPEN AND THE HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL WAS PUSHED ASIDE OR MISSING FROM AN AREA APPROX ONE INCH SQUARE. THERIGHT ENGINE AND OVERHAULED TURBOCHARGERS HAD BEEN INSTALLED APPROX 9 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT ACCORDING TO THE HOBBS METER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9774Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9774Q-2014-12-01), registration cancelled 2014-12-01, S/N 61P-0402-140 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER 601P
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601p) (registry code 8360608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P-0402-140
- Airframe hours: 1842
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-51A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul M. Guyer
- Registered owner: Coronet Leasing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1983, 75 hours before
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: BUR, BURBANK, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,230 total, 450 in this make and model, 7,230 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19831106056589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831106056589A), Nov 6, 1983: Piper PA60601P, Helendale, CA, Substantial damage. Right engine failed cruising at FL 220. Failed to feather causing a forced landing. Magneto p leads shorted out.

## Other investigations on N9774Q (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX82FUQ03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUQ03), Nov 9, 1981: Piper 601P (N9774Q), Burbank, CA, substantial damage

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.