# NTSB SEA87LA125: Piper PA-32R-300, N8713E, Bend, OR, June 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1987, 09:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Bend, OR
- Coordinates: 43.980064, -121.269805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9801&lon=-121.2698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40648
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40648/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA125

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,spark plug - inoperative (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - landing gear - not switched
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AND THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED. THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO RETRACT THE GEAR DUE TO THE LOW AIRSPEED BECAUSE THE AUTOMATIC GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM WAS NOT IN THE OVERRIDE POSITION. NORMAL OPERATIONS DO NOT UTILIZE THE GEAR OVERRIDE. THE AIRCRAFT CLEARED TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND DESCENDED ONTO A BOAT DOCK AND THE GROUND. IT WAS FOUND THAT FOUR OUT OF THE SIX TOP SPARK PLUGS WERE NOT FIRING. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT COMPUTES TO ABOUT 6,200 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8713E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7680161
- Airframe hours: 2521
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Hildebrand, doing business as Central Valley Aviation
- Registered owner: Robert Hildebrand
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 22, 1987, 3 hours before
- Departed: S21, SUNRIVER, OR
- Destination: YYF, PENTICTON
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: S21, Sunriver

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 741 total, 60 in this make and model, 671 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 31 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 19870628027569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870628027569A), Jun 28, 1987: Piper PA32R300, Bend, OR, Destroyed. Power loss on takeoff with loss of airspeed and altitude. Impacted boat dock. Four of six top spark plugs fouled.

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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