# NTSB LAX88LA213: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N2131N, Grand Canyon, AZ, June 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1988, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Location: 36.0544° N, 112.1393° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Canyon, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0544&lon=-112.1393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26025
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26025/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA213

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE AN TEE FITTING, THEREBY ALLOWING THE OIL TO BE PUMPED OVERBOARD CAUSING THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OF THE TEE FITTING WAS CAUSED BY THE TIE WRAP USED TO SECURE THE LINE. THE TIE WRAP PULLED THE OIL LINE AND STRESSED ONE SIDE OF THE TEE FITTING. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE MECHANICS FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE APPROVED PIPER PROCEDURES FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A OIL PRESSURE OPERATED HOBBS METER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil line - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2131N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2131N-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 28R-7931045, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7921045
- Airframe hours: 1702
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas Cunningham
- Registered owner: Tur-Dak Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1988, 40 hours before
- Departed: 1W1, DENVER, CO
- Destination: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 517 total, 370 in this make and model, 411 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 17 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GCN, 7 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 19880605017869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880605017869A), Jun 5, 1988: Piper PA28RT201T, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Smoke and fumes and loss oil pressure. Hit tree on landing. Oil pressure adapter to hobbs failed.

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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