# NTSB LAX87LA030: Piper PA-31-350, N33WH, Eleele Kauai, HI, October 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1986, 14:10 local (Oct 31, 1986, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Eleele Kauai, HI
- Coordinates: 21.910764, -159.579254 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.9108&lon=-159.5793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 10 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25463
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25463/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA030

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A PIPER PA 31-350 LOST POWER AND COLLIDED WITH SIGN POSTS AFTER LANDING ON A ROAD. IT WAS REPORTED TO THE FAA THAT THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT ENGINE WAS PRODUCING PARTIAL POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE ON THE LEFT ENGINE. THE PILOT NEVER CONFIRMED WHETHER OR NOT THE RIGHT ENGINE HAD FAILED AND NEVER FEATHERED THE PROPELLER ALLOWING THE PROPELLER TO WINDMILL. THE PILOT MAINTAINED A DESCENT AT VYSE AND LANDED ON A ROAD TWO MILES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE RIGHT ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE TESTED WITH NO DISCREPANCIES FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33WH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33WH-1993-03-12), registration cancelled 1993-03-12, S/N 317405482 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 317405482
- Airframe hours: 4056
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Air Tour Aquisition Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 16, 1986, 34 hours before
- Departed: OGG, KAHULUI, HI
- Destination: LIH, LIHUE, HI
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: PAK, Port Allen, runway 27, 2,450 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,206 total, 141 in this make and model, 4,321 as pilot in command, 149 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIH, 16 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 19861030085829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861030085829A), Oct 30, 1986: Piper PA31350, Eleele, HI, Substantial damage. The right engine lost power in flight. Unable to maintain altitude, prop not feathered. Struck post on narrow road.

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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