# NTSB NYC90FA040: Piper PA-60-602P, N6894Y, Frenchtown, NJ, December 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1989, 10:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Frenchtown, NJ
- Location: 40.5305° N, 75.0528° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Frenchtown, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5305&lon=-75.0528&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA040

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF THE TURBOCHARGER TAILPIPE EXHAUST STACK ON THE RIGHT ENGINE BY THE MECHANIC(S). THE FAILURE OF THE TAILPIPE PERMITTED HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST TO WEAKEN THE MAIN SPAR OF THE RIGHT WING RESULTING IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - exhaust system,stack - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Fire, cruise - normal
  - wing,spar - failure,total
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON JANUARY 16, 1989, MACHEN NACELLE MOUNTED INDUCTION AIR INTERCOOLERS WERE INSTALLED ON N6894Y. ON DECEMBER 14, 1989, AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED, AND A MACHEN SUPERSTAR I-680 KIT WAS INSTALLED. ON DECEMBER 21, 1989, N6894Y WAS AT 6000 FEET WHEN THE PILOT REPORTED A PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT ENGINE. THE PILOT REPORTED A FIRE IN THE RIGHT ENGINE. A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER, HE RADIOED HE COULD NOT SHUT DOWN THE RIGHT ENGINE. AT 1034:37 THE PILOT ADVISED HIS 'RIGHT ENGINE JUST TORE OFF' AND THAT HE WAS 'IN A SPIN HEADING DOWN.'  THE EXHAUST TAILPIPE OF THE LEFT TURBOCHARGER ON THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS FOUND TO HAVE SEPARATED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE TAILPIPE FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKING. RECORDS SHOWED THAT PART I OF PIPER SERVICE BULLETIN 920 (ENGINE TAILPIPE INSPECTION) HAD BEEN COMPLETED, WHILE PART II (ADDITION OF FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM) HAD NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED DUE TO THE LACK OF AVAILABLE KITS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6894Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6894Y-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 62P09098165036, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-602P
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 602P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-602p) (registry code 7106014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 62P0909816
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Walter V. Wicker, Jr
- Departed: TEB, TETERBORO, NJ
- Destination: RDG, READING, PA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,061 total, 312 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ABE, 15 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 19891221052459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891221052459A), Dec 21, 1989: Piper PA60602P, Frenchtown, NJ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Fire right engine at cruise. Engine tore off. Went into spin. Exhaust pipe on turbocharger broke. Superstar kit.

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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