# NTSB NYC88LA053: Piper PA-28RT, Houlton, ME, December 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1987, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Houlton, ME
- Location: 46.1214° N, 67.8322° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houlton, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1214&lon=-67.8322&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - annunciator panel light(s) - engaged
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION FLIGHT TO QUEBEC CITY IN CANADA AND WHILE CRUISING AT ABOUT 6500 FEET, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATION, 43 NAUTICAL MILES NNW OF HOULTON VOR ON A 306 DEGREE HEADING. THE ENGINE THEN STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND EVENTUALLY LOST POWER. EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON ITS BELLY ON A LOGGING ROAD. THE RIGHT WING HIT A TREE STUMP, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. INVEST REVEALED THAT #1 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED. THE ENG SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT DISTRESS AROUND THE #1 ROD. THE ACFT HAD OIL ON THE SIDES AND BOTTOM OF THE FUSELAGE. THERE WAS ALSO A HOLE IN THE TOP REAR OF THE ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGRQU (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28 7931263
- Airframe hours: 1497
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian Downey
- Registered owner: B.F. Downey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FREDRICTON
- Destination: TORANTI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 910 total, 728 in this make and model, 828 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 24 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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