# NTSB SEA90FA197: Piper PA-24-260, N8646P, Bend, OR, September 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1990, 14:48 local (21:48 UTC)
- Place: Bend, OR
- Location: 44.0582° N, 121.3153° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bend, OR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0582&lon=-121.3153&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA197

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION AS A RESULT OF A BROKEN SEAL IN THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS APPROACH INTO AN OPEN FIELD.

## 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, descent - normal
  - fuel system,fuel control - failure,partial (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED TO ATC THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERE ENGINE TROUBLE; WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH LIKE IT WAS STARVING FOR FUEL. WRECKAGE WAS FOUND IN AN OPEN FIELD; THERE WAS A TREE 500 FT FROM THE WRECKAGE SHOWING IMPACT DAMAGE. A SYNTHETIC SEAL INSIDE THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO WAS FOUND SEPARATED INTO TWO PIECES WHICH ALLOWED FUEL TO MIGRATE TO THE IMPACT TUBES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8646P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8646P-1991-02-11), registration cancelled 1991-02-11, S/N 244089 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4089
- Airframe hours: 3022
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard C. Hall
- Registered owner: A & F Transportation Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1990, 40 hours before
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 840 total, 624 in this make and model, 788 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 33 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 19900928043279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900928043279A), Sep 28, 1990: Piper PA24260, Lapine, OR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Rough engine loosing power. Struck tree on edge open field. Destroyed on impact. Fuel injector servo torn diaphram.

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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