# NTSB LAX86LA286: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N39944, Paso Robles, CA, July 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1986, 07:33 local (14:33 UTC)
- Place: Paso Robles, CA
- Coordinates: 35.609428, -120.760887 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6094&lon=-120.7609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA286

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,oil - low level (cause)
  - fluid,oil - pressure too low (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,bearing - overtemperature (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - engine assembly - failure,total (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WAS TRAILING SMOKE ON CLIMB OUT. THE PLT ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE CLIMB DUE TO IMC AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT AND DIVERT TO ANOTHER ARPT LOCATED 26 NM NORTH. HE CONTINUED TO CLIMB TO 4,500 FT MSL TO VMC. THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE CLIMB AND THE PLT REQUESTED RADAR VECTORS TO ANOTHER ARPT AND VMC. APRX 20 NM SOUTH OF THE OF THE APRT WHILE IN A DESCENT IN VMC THE ENG OIL PRESSURE GAGE INDICATED 'O'. THE ENG THEN SEIZED AND THE PLT LANDED IN A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE LEFT LANDING GEAR WAS SEVERED AND THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED. AFTER THE ACFT CAME TO REST, OIL WAS SEEN ON THE TOP OF THE ENG COWLING AND ON THE ACFT FUSELAGE. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE ENG CASE HAD FRACTURED ABOVE THE NUMBER 6 CYLINDER. ALL OIL FITTINGS WERE EXAMINED FOR PROPER SECURITY AND TIGHTNESS AND PRESSURE CHECKED. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF LEAKAGE OR BLOCKAGE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39944](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39944), registered now, S/N 32R-7887171, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7887171
- Airframe hours: 941
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sloval
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 1986, 36 hours before
- Departed: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
- Destination: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,087 total, 324 in this make and model, 988 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRB, 12 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 19860709031529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860709031529A), Jul 9, 1986: Piper PA32RT300T, Paso Robles, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot was notified of trailing smoke on takeoff. Engine seized. Landed in a field. Oil filter cap not secured.

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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