# NTSB LAX84FA170: Piper PA-31T, N36CA, Riviera, AZ, February 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1984, 10:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Riviera, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.090953, -114.570304 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0910&lon=-114.5703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - turbine assembly,turbine blade - fatigue (cause)
  - wrong engine shutdown - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (cause)
  - turbine assembly,turbine blade - failure,total (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT LOST PWR ON THE LEFT ENG DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE APRX 8 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. ARPT MGR HEARD UNICOM TRANSMISSION FROM N36CA, 'WE LOST AN ENG, WE'RE COMING BACK.' A WARNING HORN (POSSIBLY GEAR WARNING OR STALL HORN) WAS HEARD IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN N36CA FAILED TO RETURN THE ARPT MGR CALLED THE SHERIFF & BEGAN SEARCH IN HIS OWN ACFT. N36CA WAS LOCATED APRX 1 HOUR AFTER IT'S DEPARTURE. THE FORCED LANDING WAS IN A FLAT, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH 22DEGS OF FLAPS EXTENDED. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED IN AREA OF 8 FT HIGH BRUSH. DISTANCE FROM INITIAL IMPACT TO FINAL REST WAS 595 FT ON HEADING OF 140 DEGS. ALTHOUGH RESTRAINED BY LAP BELT AND HARNESS, PLT HIT HEAD ON CO-PLT'S CONTOL YOKE DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE LEFT ENG TURBINE BLADE HAD FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE PLT'S SON SAID HIS FATHER SHUT DOWN THE RIGHTENG IN-FLT AND AS A RESULT THE ACFT HAD NO PWR ON EITHER ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N36CA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 1081
- Engines: P&W PT6A-28 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall
- Registered owner: Nevada National Leasing Corp
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 4, 1983, 69 hours before
- Departed: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Destination: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Airport: Bullhead City

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EED, 19 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 19840208004409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840208004409A), Feb 8, 1984: Piper PA31T, Riviera, AZ, Substantial damage. Landed in sandy area after power loss on one engine. Turbine blades broken. Emergency competancy questionable.

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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