# NTSB NYC86FA213: Piper PA-46-310P, N27EE, West Mifflin, PA, August 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1986, 22:47 local (Aug 16, 1986, 02:47 UTC)
- Place: West Mifflin, PA
- Coordinates: 40.359489, -79.899291 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3595&lon=-79.8993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 11, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA213

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - lubricating system,oil tubing - loose (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - engine assembly - failure,partial (cause)
  - emergency procedure - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT 2232 EDT, THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING TO 15000 FEET WHEN THE PILOT REPORTED A LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT. ATC ADVISED JIMMY STEWART FIELD IS ABOUT ELEVEN THIRTY AND 15 MILES. AFTER THE PILOT ASKED, 'IS THAT A TOWER FIELD?', ATC ADVISED HE DID NOT KNOW, WESTMORELAND COUNTY IS AT TWO O'CLOCK AND ABOUT 15 MILES, TURN RIGHT 180 DEGREES, DESCEND AND MAINTAIN 4000 FEET. AT 2233 EDT, ATC SAID THAT THEY BELIEVE WESTMORELAND COUNTY TOWER IS CLOSED DOWN. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS THINKING OF WHERE HE SHOULD GO AND ATC ADVISED PITTSBURGH'S 35 MILES AWAY IF YOU CAN MAKE THAT. AT 2234:35 EDT, THE ACFT WAS RETURNING TO PITTSBURGH WHEN THE PILOT REPORTED ZERO OIL PRESSURE AND AN OIL LIGHT. AT 2237:27 EDT, THE PILOT REPORTED AN EMERGENCY. FLT WAS CLEARED TO ALLEGHENY CO ARPT & ADVISED MONROEVILLE ARPT 230 HDG & 5 MI. THE ACFT CRASHED AT 2247 EDT. THE INVESTIGATION SHOWED A LOOSE FLANGE NUT ON LEFT TURBO CHARGER FEED LINE FINGER TIGHT. TEST PRODUCED A STEADY LEAK. AT SITE OIL COVERED BOTTOM OF FUSELAGE AND EMPENNAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27EE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27EE-2013-10-25), registration cancelled 2013-10-25, S/N 46-8608036, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-310P
- Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46-8608036
- Airframe hours: 349
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TS10-520-BE 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: J. Meade Williamson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1986, 116 hours before
- Departed: PIT, PITTSBURGH, PA
- Destination: PHL, PHILADELPHIA, PA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,166 total, 127 in this make and model, 1,031 as pilot in command, 284 in the last 90 days, 127 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGC, 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 19860815040219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860815040219A), Aug 15, 1986: Piper PA46310P, West Mifflin, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Short (.4)at 2232 EDT, the acft was climbing to 15000 feet when the pilot reported a low oil pressure light. ATC advised jimmy stewart field is about eleven…

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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