# NTSB NYC86IA231: Piper PA-60-600, N90349, Binghamton, NY, September 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1986, 07:11 local (11:11 UTC)
- Place: Binghamton, NY
- Coordinates: 42.109119, -75.959167 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1091&lon=-75.9592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86IA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86IA231

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly - failure,partial (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, descent - emergency
  - aircraft performance - asymmetrical
  - airspeed(vmc) - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER LEVELING OFF AT 9000 FT MSL. HE HEARD A POP FOLLOWED BY AN EXPLOSION IN THE LEFT ENG. THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF THE UPPER COWLING WAS PROTRUDING INTO THE AIRSTREAM WHICH CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT HAD TO USE FULL RIGHT RUDDER & HALF LEFT AILERON DEFLECTION TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT AT BLUE LINE, AN EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED & RADAR VECTORS REQUESTED TO NEAREST AIRPORT. WHEN THE AIRPORT PERIMETER WAS CROSSED THE ACFT WAS LESS THAN 10 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. PILOT ELECTED TO LAND GEAR UP ON THE GRASS BETWEEN THE RUNWAY & TAXIWAY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE EXPLOSION WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED CYLINDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90349](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90349), registered now, S/N 60-0202-090, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-600
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 600](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-600) (registry code 8360602) (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: 60-0202090
- Airframe hours: 9604
- Engines: LYCOMING 10-540-K1F5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Continental,Inc.
- Registered owner: Masters & Sumpter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 14, 1986, 60 hours before
- Departed: BUF, BUFFALO, NY
- Destination: TEB, TETERBORO, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BGM, Edwin A. Link Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,718 total, 1,497 in this make and model, 3,568 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BGM

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19860909081499I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860909081499I), Sep 9, 1986: Piper PA60600, Binghamton, NY, Minor damage. The left engine failed during cruise. The pilot landed the aircraft gear up beside runway. Broken connecting rod.

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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