# NTSB SEA93LA152: Piper PA-32-260, N3774W, Arlington, WY, July 12, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1993, 12:53 local (18:53 UTC) - Place: Arlington, WY - Location: 41.6053° N, 106.1997° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arlington, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6053&lon=-106.1997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 77-12-01](https://openairdocs.org/ad/77-12-01) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 41731 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41731/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA152 ## Probable cause FUEL CONTAMINATION, DIRECTIVES NOT FOLLOWED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND, AND HIS PREMATURE FLARE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - premature, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT DEPARTED LARAMIE, WYOMING, AFTER TOPPING OFF THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS. WHILE AT CRUISE ALTITUDE, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING AND REPORTED THAT HE 'WAS A LITTLE HIGH CAUSING INITIAL IMPACT AT NEAR STALL SPEED, REMOVING THE GEAR.' SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED CONTAMINATED WATER IN THE FUEL SELECTOR BOWL WITH THE DRAIN LEVER RUSTED IN THE 'CLOSED' POSITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE FUEL PUMP FILTER WAS COVERED WITH A RUST COLORED SUBSTANCE. AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 77-12-01 REQUIRES THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE BE CHECKED EVERY 50 HOURS SO AS TO 'PREVENT A FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND A POSSIBLE POWER INTERRUPTION.' THE LAST RECORD OF SUCH AN INSPECTION ON THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONDUCTED 64 HOURS PREVIOUSLY (15 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT). LIKEWISE, THE PIPER CHEROKEE SIX SERVICE MANUAL DESCRIBES PROCEDURES FOR REMOVING, DRAINING, AND CLEANING THE FUEL SELECTOR STRAINER BOWL AT LEAST EVERY 90 DAYS. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 1993, at approximately 1253 hours mountain daylight time (MDT), a Piper PA-32-260, N3774W, registered to and being flown by Robert R. Vignaroli, a certificated private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of power while in cruise near Arlington, Wyoming. The pilot and his wife sustained serious and minor injuries respectively. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan had been filed for the trip from Denver to Jackson, Wyoming. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated in accordance with the requirements set forth in 14CFR91. The pilot reported that he made an intermediate stop at Laramie, Wyoming, during which the aircraft was fueled (topped off), and then departed for Jackson at approximately 1240 hours. Shortly after levelling off, a slow loss of power developed which the pilot was unable to eliminate. He then decided to execute a forced landing. The pilot stated that during the flare to land he "was a little high causing initial impact at near stall speed, removing main gear." The aircraft's fuel system was examined at the facilities of Beegle Aviation, in Greeley, Colorado. The fuel selector valve was examined and found to contain contaminated water in the sump bowl. Additionally, the drain lever was rusted in the "closed" position. Additionally, the aircraft's auxiliary fuel pump was functionally checked and found to be operational. However, the pump's filter was observed to be covered with a rust colored substance. The last inspection conducted on N3774W was on March 30, 1992. This inspection was logged as an "annual" at a tach/total time of 4676.8 hours. The tach time at the accident was approximately 4740.7 hours (63.9 hours elapsed between March 30, 1992, and July 12, 1993). FAA Airworthiness Directive 77-12-01 requires in part, that this particular PA-32-260 be subjected to a fuel selector valve procedural check a minimum of at least every 50 hours so as to "prevent a fuel system malfunction and a possible power interruption." The AD was signed off as having been accomplished on March 30, 1992, however, there was no further airframe log entries addressing the AD subsequent to that time. Additionally, the Piper Cherokee Six Service Manual, (revised 11/04/83) states in its inspection procedures to "Remove, drain, and clean fuel strainer bowl and screen located in bottom of fuel selector (Drain and clean at least every 90 days)" refer to Report of Fred W. Ohrn, FAA Inspector. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3774W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3774W-1997-10-10), registration cancelled 1997-10-10, S/N 32696 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-696 - Airframe hours: 4741 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Vignaroli, Robert R. - Registered owner: Vignaroli, Robert R. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 1992, 64 hours before - Departed: LAR, LARAMIE, WY - Destination: JAC, JACKSON, WY - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 585 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAR, 17 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 19930712023179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930712023179A), Jul 12, 1993: Piper PA32260, Arlington, WY, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Stall landed off airport. Water in fuel selector bowl. Drain rusted shut. ADS not complied. ## Other investigations on N3774W (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 SEA71AS012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71AS012), Aug 30, 1970: Piper PA-32 (N3774W), Bremerton, WA, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.