# NTSB LAX87LA002: Piper PA-30, N12BX, Holbrook, AZ, October 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1986, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Holbrook, AZ
- Location: 34.9046° N, 110.1672° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Holbrook, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9046&lon=-110.1672&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): 25442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA002

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 450 FEET. THE RIGHT PROPELLER WAS FEATHERED, BUT THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN ABOUT 3 MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT DISMANTLED AND MOVED THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE INVESTIGATION WHICH MAY HAVE DESTROYED EVIDENCE CONCERNING THE LOSS OF POWER. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12BX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12BX-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N 30-1436, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1436
- Airframe hours: 4316
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Black Rock Construction
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1985, 15 hours before
- Departed: P14
- Destination: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Airport: Holbrook Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,059 total, 804 in this make and model, 3,009 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: INW, 29 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 19861003047599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861003047599A), Oct 3, 1986: Piper PA30, Holbrook, AZ, Substantial damage. The right engine failed on takeoff and the aircraft hit the ground. Wreckage was moved prior to investigation.

## Other investigations on N12BX (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 MIA74FKT49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74FKT49), Jan 8, 1974: Piper PA-30 (N12BX), Ft Lauderdale, FL, 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.

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