# NTSB MKC82DA087: Piper PA-31P, N40NC, Salina, KS, May 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1982, 08:12 local (13:12 UTC)
- Place: Salina, KS
- Coordinates: 38.810943, -97.609893 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8109&lon=-97.6099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72463
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72463/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA087

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - reduction gear assy - previous damage (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - reduction gear assy - disconnected (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE LEFT ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE ROUGHNESS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A SLIGHT LEFT YAW. THE PILOT SAID THE LEFT ENGINE WAS PRODUCING SOME POWER SO HE ELECTED NOT TO FEATHER THE PROPELLER. THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE; THEREFORE, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A GEAR-UP LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLANE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS GEAR-UP LANDING AND HAD ACCUMULATED 420 HOURS SINCE THEN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE PROPELLER WOULD ROTATE FREELY WITHOUT ROTATION OF THE CRANKSHAFT. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE SPLINE BUSHING, PN 75462, TURNED FREELY IN THE FRONT OF THE CRANKSHAFT, AND THE THREE DOWELS, PN 75359, WERE NOT IN PLACE. THE BUSHING, WHICH IS PRESSED INTO THE CRANKSHAFT DURING ASSEMBLY, WAS LOOSE ENOUGH TO PERMIT REMOVAL BY HAND. THE DOWELS WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE OIL SUMP AND WERE BENT AND DEFORMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40NC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40NC-2002-08-26), registration cancelled 2002-08-26, S/N 31P-49 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31P
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31p) (registry code 7103120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31P-49
- Airframe hours: 1929
- Engines: LYCOMING TIGO-541-E1A 425 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: James D. Nelson
- Registered owner: James D. Nelson
- Departed: SALINA, KS
- Destination: DALLAS, TX
- Airport: Salina Muni, runway 17, 13,330 × 300 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,192 total, 28 in this make and model, 6,541 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 133 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLN, 8 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 19820521018109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820521018109A), May 21, 1982: Piper PA31P, Salina, KS, Substantial damage. Left engine lost power, pilot unsure of situation landed wheels up off runway. Crankshaft splined bushing stripped.

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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