# NTSB MKC89FA196: Piper PA-32-300, N8995N, Bentonville, AR, September 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1989, 08:52 local (13:52 UTC)
- Place: Bentonville, AR
- Location: 36.3729° N, 94.2088° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bentonville, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3729&lon=-94.2088&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA196

## Probable cause

A LOOSE OIL LINE THAT BECAME DISCONNECTED, WHEN MAINTENANCE/INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN COMPLETED, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD FROM LACK OF LUBRICATION.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  INADEQUATE SURVEILLANCE OF THE OPERATION BY COMPANY/MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL.

## 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 - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - maintenance - initiated, company maintenance personnel
  - lubricating system,oil hose - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - not attained (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - lubricating system,oil hose - disconnected (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS USING A COMPANY ACFT THAT HAD BEEN SVCD WITH NEW FLEX OIL HOSES, BUT THE COMPANY MECHANIC HAD NOT COMPLETED THE INSTALLATION BEFORE LEAVING WORK FOR THE DAY.  HE (THE MECHANIC) HAD DEFERRED COMPLETION OF THE WORK UNTIL THE FLWG MONDAY.  RPRTDLY, A LEAK CHK OF THE OIL HOSES WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY THE PLT, BUT A LOG OF THIS WAS NOT ENTERED IN THE MAINT RECORD BEFORE THE FLT.  DRG AN ILS LOC APCH, THE PLT RPRTD A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE.  SUBSEQUENTLY, A CONNECTING ROD IN THE ENG FAILED FM LACK OF LUBRICATION & THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES DRG AN EMERG LNDG.  AN INSPN OF THE ACFT REVEALED A DISCONNECTED OIL HOSE BETWEEN 2 OIL COOLERS.  THE HOSE HAD VIBRATED FREE FM A FITTING & OIL HAD BEEN PUMPED OVERBOARD.  THE OTR OIL HOSES WERE STILL SECURELY FASTENED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8995N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8995N-1990-07-16), registration cancelled 1990-07-16, S/N 3240878 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40878
- Airframe hours: 5258
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Mid Planes, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1989, 50 hours before
- Departed: BVO, BARTLESVILLE, OK
- Destination: ASG, SPRINGDALE, AR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ASG, Springdale Muni, runway 18, 5,302 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,747 total, 130 in this make and model, 1,618 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FYV, 26 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 19890911034069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890911034069A), Sep 11, 1989: Piper PA32300, Springdale, AR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. On ILS approach lost oil pressure. Engine rod failed. Hit trees. New hoses had been installed. One not connected.

## Other investigations on N8995N (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 FTW75FRD36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75FRD36), Mar 13, 1975: Piper PA-32 (N8995N), Lucy, LA, 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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