# NTSB SEA90FA129: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N30511, Prineville, OR, July 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1990, 15:28 local (22:28 UTC)
- Place: Prineville, OR
- Coordinates: 44.099994, -120.659767 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1000&lon=-120.6598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41117
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41117/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA129

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE, IN-FLIGHT ENGINE FIRE AND SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT, RESULTING IN IMPAIRMENT OF THE PILOT AND HIS SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL.

## 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 - fatigue (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (cause)
- Fire, cruise - normal
  - exhaust system - fire (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - physical impairment(other toxic), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE, TRAILING WHITE SMOKE, WITH ROUGH ERRATIC ENGINE SOUNDS. A PVT PILOT REPORTED THE ACFT WAS FILLED WITH WHITE SMOKE. THE ACFT MADE A STEEP TURN, PITCHED NOSE UP, ROLLED INVERTED, AND DESCENDED NOSE DOWN TO IMPACT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED A FRACTURED COUPLING FLANGE ON THE LEFT INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURED FLANGE REVEALED MULTIPLE ORIGIN FATIGUE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30511](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30511-1995-05-12), registration cancelled 1995-05-12, S/N 32R7887280 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7887280
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth R. Rose
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1990
- Departed: SO7, BEND, OR
- Destination: BOI, BOISE, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 3,750 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 9 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 18 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 19900709025099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900709025099A), Jul 9, 1990: Piper PA32RT300T, Prineville, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed trailing smoke and smoke filled cabin prior to crash. V band that couples pipe to NR6 cylinder missing.

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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