# NTSB NYC06LA090: Piper PA-30, N7812Y, Norfolk, VA, April 7, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 7, 2006, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Norfolk, VA - Coordinates: 36.758056, -76.462501 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7581&lon=-76.4625&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63466 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63466/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA090 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a single-engine go-around. A factor was the partial loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - 1 engine - failure (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a local "shakeout" flight, as the airplane had not flown since its last inspection 9 months prior. The pilot performed a preflight inspection and observed that the fuel was "almost full" in the main tanks and "almost halfway full" in the auxiliary tanks. The pilot "sumped" the fuel tanks, and observed some water in the fuel. After departure, the airplane seemed to be operating "normally," but at a slower indicated airspeed than normal for the power setting. The pilot flew toward the nearest airport, where he also intended to purchase fuel. As the pilot lowered the landing gear on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he did not observe the "gear down" lights illuminate in the cockpit. Shortly after, the pilot noticed that the left engine rpm and manifold pressure were "up" but the engine "wasn't producing much thrust." The pilot cycled the landing gear and continued troubleshooting the left engine; however, the gear did not extend, and he decided to perform a single-engine go-around. During the go-around the airplane rolled to the left "near Vmc," impacted trees, and came to rest inverted in a swamp. Examination of the magnetos revealed they would not produce spark when functionally tested on a test bench. Disassembly of the magnetos revealed rust and corrosion, and that the points were insulated. It could not be deduced whether these conditions were present at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 7, 2006, at 1930 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N7812Y, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain following an attempted go-around in Norfolk, Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated at 1910, at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF), Newport News, Virginia. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and destined for the Hampton Roads Executive Airport (PVG), Norfolk, Virginia. According to the pilot, he planned a local "shakeout" flight from PHF, since the airplane had not flown for several months. The pilot performed a pre-flight inspection and observed that the fuel was "almost full" in the main tanks, and "almost halfway full" in the auxiliary tanks. The pilot "sumped" the fuel tanks, and observed no water in the fuel. The pilot was unable to start the engines as the battery was "too low," so he charged the battery for several hours and then started the left engine successfully, and started the right engine after several tries. The pilot continued the preflight inspection and noticed no anomalies, other than a 300 rpm drop on the right engine, when he checked the magnetos. He leaned the mixture, ran up the engine and checked the magnetos again, resulting in a 75 rpm drop. The pilot departed runway 20 and continued southbound as he assessed the single-engine characteristics of the airplane. He reported that the airplane seemed to be operating "normally," but at a slower indicated airspeed than normal for the power setting. The pilot then headed toward the nearest airport, PVG, and entered the traffic pattern for runway 20. As the pilot lowered the landing gear on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he did not observe the "gear down" lights illuminate in the cockpit. Shortly after, the pilot noticed that the left engine rpm and manifold pressure were "up" but the engine "wasn't producing much thrust." The pilot cycled the landing gear and continued troubleshooting the left engine by checking the fuel pumps and switching fuel tanks. As the airplane turned onto the base leg, the pilot again cycled the landing gear, but it did not extend, so he decided to perform a single-engine go-around. The pilot transitioned to a "slow climb" and during the go-around the airplane rolled to the left when the airspeed decreased to "near Vmc." As the airplane rolled to the left, it impacted trees and came to rest inverted in a swamp, about 1 mile from PVG. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that the aircraft had been tied down on the ramp at PHF, for about 8 or 9 months, with out being operated during that time. The pilot stated that the purpose for the accident flight was to purchase fuel at PVG. The pilot did not request any fuel prior to departure from PHF, and he stated to the inspector that during his preflight inspection, he "sumped" the fuel tanks and collected some water before getting clean samples. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings, and the empennage section of the airplane. The inboard fuel tank cap was not completely sealed to the wing; however, examination of the entire fuel system revealed no water in the system. The engine crankshaft was rotated, at the propeller, and valvetrain continuity and compression were confirmed to all cylinders. The magnetos were tested on and off the engine, and did not produce spark. The magnetos were sent to their manufacturer and examined under the supervision of a National Transportation Safety Board investigator. The examination revealed neither magneto produced spark when functionally tested on a test bench. The magnetos were further disassembled, and corrosion and rust was noted on the inside of both magnetos. Additionally, the points on both magnetos were insulated. The contacts were moved on one magneto, and a second functional test resulted in the magneto functioning. The other magneto would not fire with additional testing. Evidence of heat distress was noted on this magneto. Examination of the engine logbooks revealed the last 100-hour inspection was performed on July 8, 2005, with no anomalies noted. The inspection entry was the last entry in the logbook. The most recent annual inspection was performed on December 15, 2001. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7812Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7812Y-2017-03-24), registration cancelled 2017-03-24, S/N 30-891, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-30 - Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30-891 - Airframe hours: 8200 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cortney Kinnan - Registered owner: Cortney Kinnan/Doug Halter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2005, 10 hours before - Departed: PHF, Newport News, VA - Destination: PVG, Norfolk, VA - Airport: PVG, Hampton Roads Executive Airpor, runway 20, 3,524 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 2,600 total, 850 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.67 inHg - Observed at: SFQ, 1 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 20060407003869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060407003869A), Apr 7, 2006: Piper PA30, Chesapeake, VA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot was dealing with a compound emergency. His left engine was not producing power and the landing gear was not indicating down. The pilot elected… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.