# NTSB MKC83LA103: Piper PA-31-350, N278MW, Clinton, MO, May 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1983, 17:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Clinton, MO
- Coordinates: 38.370502, -93.759223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3705&lon=-93.7592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33406
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33406/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA103

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - lubricating system - leak
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative (cause)
  - wrong propeller feathered - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 8,500 FT THE PAX IN THE RIGHT SEAT NOTICED THAT THE OIL FILLER ACCESS DOOR ON TOP OF THE RIGHT ENG WASOPEN & OIL WAS LEAKING. THE PLT CHECKED THE ENG INSTRUMENTS & THE ONLY ABNORMAL READING WAS A LOW MANIFOLD PRESSURE READING ON THE LEFT ENG. THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT CLINTON. THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN HE HEARD THE LEFT ENG CUTTING OUT. REMEMBERING THE EARLIER INDICATION O LOW MP ON THE LEFT ENG, HE THOUGHT THE LEFT ENG WAS FAILING & FEATHERED THE LEFT PROP. HE RETRACTED GEAR & FLAPS, BUT THE RIGHT ENG WOULD NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH POWER & THE ACFT CRASH LANDED IN A WHEAT FIELD. EXAM OF THE RIGHT ENG REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE #4 CYL. INITIATION HAD OCCURRED AT PRE-EXISTING SHARP-BOTTOMED DENTS IN THE TWO CRACKED FINS WITH PROPAGATION TOWARD & INTO THE CYL. THE LEFT ENG WAS RUN & THE ONLY DEFICIENCY NOTED WAS THAT THE ENG RAN RICHER THAN NORMAL AT LOW POWER SETTINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N278MW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N278MW-1983-08-05), registration cancelled 1983-08-05, S/N 31-7952004, built 1978 (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: 31-7952004
- Airframe hours: 1484
- Engines: LYCOMING LTIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leo Eisenberg And Co., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1982, 158 hours before
- Departed: SGF, SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Destination: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Airport: Clinton Memorial, runway 22, 2,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,631 total, 44 in this make and model, 3,580 as pilot in command, 101 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 22 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Observed at: SZL, 23 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 19830506017919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830506017919A), May 6, 1983: Piper PA31350, Clinton, MO, Substantial damage. Oil leak right engine from cracked cylinder. Feathered other engine for landing after it loaded up. Landed short.

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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