# NTSB MKC87LA026: Piper PA-32-300, N4031R, Harrison, AR, November 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1986, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Harrison, AR
- Coordinates: 36.240909, -93.109313 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2409&lon=-93.1093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34327
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34327/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA026

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ROUTINE BUSINESS FLT HAD PROGRESSED NORMALLY UNTIL APPROACHING BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS. THE PIC RPTD HIS ENG RAN ROUGH FOR A VERY BRIEF PERIOD AND QUIT. EMERG PROCEDURES WERE CONDUCTED BUT A RESTART WAS IMPOSSIBLE. ONLY 1.5 HRS OF FLT HAD TRANSPIRED SINCE THE LAST REFUEL. AN INSP OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAGNETO DRIVE BEARING HAD SIEZED AND THE DRIVE GEAR HAD SHEARED TOTALLY DISABLING THE MAG. THE OTHER MAG HAD FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. SUBSEQUENT TESTING OF THE OTHER MAG SHOWED INTERMITTENT OPERATION AND ARCING OF THE POINTS. THE ACFT WAS INSP 6 MOS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4031R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4031R-2002-04-18), registration cancelled 2002-04-18, S/N 32-40327, built 1967 (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: 32-40327
- Airframe hours: 3530
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: William B. Lawson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1986, 80 hours before
- Departed: HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Destination: H00, BENTONVILLE, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,889 total, 220 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19861129062409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861129062409A), Nov 29, 1986: Piper PA32300, Harrison, AR, Substantial damage. The engine failed. The aircraft clipped trees during landing. One magneto seized and the other intermittent.

## Other investigations on N4031R (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC72DCD38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72DCD38), Oct 13, 1971: Piper PA-32 (N4031R), Marshalltown, IA, substantial damage

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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