# NTSB LAX88FA075: Piper PA-31-350, N712AN, Maunaloa, HI, December 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1987, 18:53 local (Dec 24, 1987, 04:53 UTC)
- Place: Maunaloa, HI
- Coordinates: 21.130941, -157.210678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.1309&lon=-157.2107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 8 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA075

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - 1 engine - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(flight and ground schedule), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS TO BE FLOWN ACROSS A 22 MILE CHANNEL BETWEEN ISLANDS ON AN OVERCAST NIGHT WITH NO MOON AND NO GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS. THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR AND, AFTER EXTENSIVE SEARCHES, COULD NOT BE FOUND. A THREE DIMENSIONAL FLIGHT TRACK WAS RECONSTRUCTED USING RECORDED RADAR DATA. THE DATA INDICATED THAT IN THE LAST 60 SEC THE AIRCRAFT SLOWED FROM 170 TO 95 KTS, GAINED 500 FT IN ALTITUDE, AND TURNED LEFT 190 DEGREES BEFORE ABRUPTLY DISAPPEARING FROM RADAR. FLIGHT TESTS INDICATED THAT THE MOVEMENTS OF THE AIRCRAFT IN THE LAST 60 SEC OF THE FLIGHT WERE CONSISTENT WITH A LOSS OF THE LEFT ENGINE, WITHOUT COMPENSATION BY THE PILOT. THE OPERATOR'S TRAINING PROGRAM DID NOT PROVIDE FOR NIGHT OR INSTRUMENT FLIGHT CONDITIONS. THE LAST DOCUMENTED INSTRUMENT TIME FOR THE PILOT WAS 15 MONTHS PRIOR DURING A CHECKRIDE. THE PILOT FLEW SPORADIC NIGHT FLIGHTS. THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY FLOWN DURING THE DAY AND WAS ON HIS THIRTEENTH HOUR OF DUTY. AIRCRAFT DAMAGE AND INJURY INDEX PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N712AN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N712AN-1988-04-07), registration cancelled 1988-04-07, S/N 317652151 (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: 31-7652151
- Airframe hours: 6516
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Panorama Air Tours, doing business as Panorama Air Tours
- Registered owner: Airtour Acquisition Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 6, 1987, 46 hours before
- Departed: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Destination: MKK, MOLOKAI, HI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,987 total, 617 in this make and model, 1,246 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HNL, 31 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 19871223076509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871223076509A), Dec 23, 1987: Piper PA31350, Maunaloa, HI, Destroyed, 8 fatal. Radar contact lost over ocean. Possible uncompensated power loss and vertigo. No night training in syllabus.

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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