# NTSB NYC90LA068: Piper PA-28-181, N763DS, Worcester, MA, February 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1990, 20:31 local (Feb 14, 1990, 01:31 UTC)
- Place: Worcester, MA
- Location: 42.2626° N, 71.8023° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Worcester, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2626&lon=-71.8023&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA068

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS DUE TO AN OIL PUMP FAILURE WHILE OPERATING OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - overtemperature (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

AT NIGHT, WHILE ENROUTE TO NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS, THE AIRPLANE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT LANDED IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL CENTER, WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, AND COLLIDED WITH A CAR AND A UTILITY POLE THAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. THE ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALED THE OIL PUMP FAILED. THE CONNECTING RODS WERE OVERTEMPERTURED, AND THE BEARINGS OF THE CONNECTING RODS HAD FAILED. BENCH BINOCULAR MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF THE DRIVE AND DRIVEN IMPELLER FRACTURE SURFACES OF THE OIL PUMP REVEALED THAT THEY BROKE AS A RESULT OF OVERSTRESS SEPARATIONS. THE DRIVEN IMPELLER HAD CHARACTERISTICS TYPICAL OF A SINTERED-POWER-METAL COMPONENTS, THE TOTAL TIME ON THE COMPONENT WAS 1828.0 HOURS. THE DRIVE IMPELLER APPEARED TO BE MACHINED FROM BARSTOCK (STEEL). SB-456C TIME OF COMPLIANCE WAS AT NEXT OVERHAUL, NOT TO EXCEED 2000 HOURS WITH SINTERED IRON GEARS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N763DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N763DS-1991-03-29), registration cancelled 1991-03-29, S/N 287690331 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7690331
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: City Aviation, doing business as Amherst Aviation
- Departed: OWD, NORWOOD, MA
- Destination: 7B2, NORTHAMPTON, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,083 total, 405 in this make and model, 926 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900213002109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900213002109A), Feb 13, 1990: Piper PA28181, Worcester, MA, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Engine siezed. Landed in parking lot. 1987 service bulletin on oil pump impeller not complied.

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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