# NTSB LAX92LA377: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N20926, Baker, CA, September 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1992, 13:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Baker, CA
- Coordinates: 35.310123, -116.039314 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3101&lon=-116.0393&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 September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA377
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA377

## Probable cause

THE UNKNOWN PILOTS IMPROPER USE OF THE THROTTLES WHICH RESULTED IN THE OVERBOOSTING OF THE ENGINE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL IMPROPER MAINTENANCE IN ADJUSTING THE TURBOCHARGER WASTEGATE AND THE OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE AFTER THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHICH RESTRICTED THE PILOT'S VISUAL OUTLOOK.

## 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,connecting rod cap - failure,total
  - engine assembly,connecting rod cap - fatigue
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, unknown (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed

## Analysis

A PIPER 32RT 300T, LANDED HARD ON DIRT STRIP AFTER EXPERIENCING A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG WHILE CRUISING AT 13,500 MSL.  OIL FROM THE ENGINE OBSCURED THE PILOT'S VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE PILOT SECURED THE ENGINE AND SELECTED A DIRT STRIP NEAR AN AUTOMOBILE SALVAGE YARD AS A FORCED LANDING AREA.  DURING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE STRUCK AN AUTOMOBILE. SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATORS FOUND A HOLE IN THE ENGINE CRANKCASE IN THE VICINITY OF THE NUMBER 1 AND NUMBER 2 CYLINDERS DURING THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION.  DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NUMBERS 1 AND 2 CONNECTING RODS WERE BROKEN AND THE NUMBER 1 CONNECTING ROD CONTAINED A GALLED SPOT ON ITS CONNECTING ROD BEARING SURFACE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE FIVE REMAINING CONNECTING RODS REVEALED EVIDENCE OF GALLING BETWEEN THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FACE AND ROD BEARING.  ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER, GALLING BETWEEN THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FACE AND ROD BEARING IS CAUSED BY PERIODS OF HIGH LOADING DUE TO OVERSPEED OR EXCESSIVE MANIFOLD PRESSURE.  ABOUT 15 DAYS OR 6 FLIGHT HOURS, THE TURBOCHARGER WASTEGATE WAS ADJUSTED BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL INSTRUMENT INDICATIONS BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20926](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20926-1995-04-18), registration cancelled 1995-04-18, S/N 32R7887181 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7887181
- Airframe hours: 2047
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Reuling-Hardy, Nancy
- Registered owner: Reuling-Hardy, Nancy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 1992, 30 hours before
- Departed: BUR, BURBANK, CA
- Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,601 total, 256 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAG, 43 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 19920908035569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920908035569A), Sep 8, 1992: Piper PA32RT300, Baker, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failure inflight. Hard landing on dirt strip. Oil on windshield. Gear sheared off. Connecting rods broke.

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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