# NTSB SEA78FA003: Piper PA-31P, N117HC, Vancouver, WA, October 8, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 8, 1977
- Place: Vancouver, WA · VANCOUVER, WA
- Location: 45.6387° N, 122.6615° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Vancouver, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6387&lon=-122.6615&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 144801
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78FA003
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA003

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3402   77/10/8   VANCOUVER,WA        PIPER PA-31P        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 52, 7200
        TIME - 0825                    N117HC              PX-  2  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 TOTAL HOURS, 700 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PEARSON AIRPARK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VANCOUVER WA                PENDICTON BC
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL                                                    TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: SPARK PLUG
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (OWNER PERSONNEL)
           POWERPLANT - PROPELLER AND ACCESSORIES: OTHER
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PROP SLOW TO FEATHER,NO AIRCHARGE.PLT UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIR CONTROL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N117HC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N117HC-1978-01-19), registration cancelled 1978-01-19, S/N 31P-54 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31P
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31p) (registry code 7103120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Pearson Airpark

## 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 19771008037349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771008037349A), Oct 8, 1977: Piper PA31P, Vancouver, OR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Prop slow to feather,no aircharge. Plt unable to maintain dir control.

## Other investigations on N117HC (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW74DPG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DPG07), Jul 27, 1973: Piper PA-31 (N117HC), West Helena, AR, substantial damage

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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