# NTSB LAX88LA017: Piper PA-24-260, N9097P, San Mateo, CA, October 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1987, 16:03 local (23:03 UTC)
- Place: San Mateo, CA
- Coordinates: 37.449268, -122.100334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4493&lon=-122.1003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA017

## 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
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankcase - contamination (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil filter/screen - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - overtemperature (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE OVER THE OCEAN, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT SOUND RIGHT AND THAT THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATION HAD DROPPED TO ZERO. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AND SEIZED. THE PILOT PLANNED FOR A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAYS. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE AN INTENTIONAL WHEELS-UP LANDING ON UPSLOPING TERRAIN, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED ABOUT 2 HANDFULS OF METAL FLAKES IN THE OIL SUMP WITH THE OIL PUMP PICKUP SCREEN CLOGGED BY METAL FLAKES. THERE WERE NO METAL FLAKES IN THE ENGINE OIL FILTER. THE NO 6 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED AND PENETRATED THE ENGINE CASE. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS INITIATED BY THE FAILURE OF A CONNECTING ROD BEARING. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OPERATED 23 HOURS SINCE THE MOST RECENT ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9097P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9097P), registered now, S/N 24-4573, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (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: 244573
- Airframe hours: 2464
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Graham, George R.
- Registered owner: Graham, George R
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 26, 1986, 23 hours before
- Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,039 total, 2,070 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO, 10 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 19871016060159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871016060159A), Oct 16, 1987: Piper PA24260, San Mateo, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failure. Made a forced landing in an open field with gear up. Rod bearing had failed.

## Other investigations on N9097P (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 DFW08LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA089), Mar 28, 2008: Piper PA24-260 (N9097P), Abbeville, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other approaching airplane. A contributing factor was the close proximity between the two private airstrips.

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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