# NTSB LAX89LA119: Piper PA-31-350, N41169, Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), February 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1989
- Place: Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26345/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA119

## Probable cause

LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE DUE TO UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OVERWEIGHT CONDITION OF THE AIRPLANE NECESSITATED BY OVERWATER FUEL REQUIREMENTS.

## 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
  - fluid,oil - no pressure (cause)
  - 1 engine
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - aircraft performance,engine out capability - exceeded (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE RIGHT ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST OIL PRESSURE. THE PILOT COULD SEE THAT OIL WAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AREA. THE PILOT SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. DUE TO HIGH GROSS WEIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE ON THE REMAINING ENGINE. THE AIRPLANE WAS DITCHED IN THE OCEAN AND NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41169](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41169-1989-03-22), registration cancelled 1989-03-22, S/N 318452009 (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: 3 1-8452009
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Southern Cross Aviation
- Registered owner: Charles R. Farnn Grain Elev.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PAGO PAGO, PO
- Destination: ASNF, NORFOLK ISLAND, PO
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 8,700 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 25 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19890214002029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890214002029A), Feb 14, 1989: Piper PA31350, Pago Pago, American Samoa, Destroyed. Right engine losing oil was shut down. Unable to stay aloft due to fuel over gross weight. Ditched in Ocean.

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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