# NTSB LAX86LA075: Piper PA-34T-22OT, Tucson, AZ, December 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1985, 11:08 local (18:08 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.149978, -110.930458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1500&lon=-110.9305&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): 25044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA075

## 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, cruise - normal
  - oil cooler control - cracked (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, manufacturer (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A TRANS BORDER VFR X-COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT NOTICED 'OIL SPIRTING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE' WITH SMOKE, & HE SHUT IT DOWN. AN EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE TUCSON ATCT, WHO CLEARED THE ACFT TO LAND STRAIGHT IN ON RWY 29L. TOWER PERSONNEL OBSERVED THE ACFT PORPOISE ABOUT 7,000 FT DOWN THE RWY BEFORE GROUND LOOPING AND SLIDING OFF THE LEFT SIDE. THE ACFT & ENGINES HAD ABOUT 249 HOURS TOTAL TIME. EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ENGINE REVEALED A 3/4 INCH CRACK IN THE LOWER FRONT WELD SEAM OF THE OIL COOLER. THE CRACK WAS ONLY VISABLE UNDER PRESSURE TESTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: XBDRL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34T-22OT (PA-34T-22O)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8133255
- Airframe hours: 250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TS10-360KB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Marco Arvizi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 1985, 40 hours before
- Departed: OBREGON,SONDRA
- Destination: OLS, NOGALES, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TUS, Tucson Intl, runway 29, 9,129 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private, foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 40 in this make and model, 530 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS

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.