# NTSB LAX89FA014: Piper PA-32-300, N4113R, Sedona, AZ, October 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1988, 10:17 local (17:17 UTC)
- Place: Sedona, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.940818, -111.940925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9408&lon=-111.9409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 78-09-07 R3](https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-09-07-R3) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26182/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA014

## Probable cause

TOTAL FAILURE OF THE MAGNETO'S IMPULSE COUPLING WHICH RESULTED IN A SHEARING OF THE CRANKSHAFT'S IDLER GEAR TEETH AND THE CRANKSHAFT DOWEL PIN.

## 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
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - terrain condition - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT & 4 FARE-PAYING PAX WERE ENROUTE TO THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK FOR AERIAL SIGHTSEEING. AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAGNETO (MAG) RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE PWR. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN & WAS DESTROYED BY GROUND FIRE. THE MAG WAS SUBJECT TO AD 78-09-07 R3 WHICH ADDRESSED IMPULSE COUPLING FAILURE. UPON EXAM IT WAS NOT FOUND TO HAVE BEEN IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AD. THE AIR TAXI COMPANY HAD TWO EMPLOYEES; AN OWNER/PRESIDENT/PILOT AND A DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE/MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDEGED HE FAILED TO FOLLOW THE CURRECT GUIDELINE IN THE CORRECT AD. AS A RESULT, THE IMPULSE COUPLING JAMMED WHEN THE FLYWEIGHT TO STOP PIN CLEARANCE BECAME ZERO. THIS ACTION SHEARED OFF TEETH ON THE ENGINE'S CRANKSHAFT GEAR & DOWEL PIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4113R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4113R-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 32-40432, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (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: 32-40432
- Airframe hours: 7026
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Northern Arizona Aircraft
- Registered owner: Robert P Jackson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 29, 1988, 61 hours before
- Departed: SEZ, SEDONA, AZ
- Destination: SEZ, SEDONA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 25,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F

## 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 19881016047599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881016047599A), Oct 16, 1988: Piper PA32300, Sedona, AZ, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Magneto impulse coupling failure caused power loss. Crashed into trees and ravine on landing.

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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