Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 28-181 near Las Vegas, NV — 2015-07-19

Final reportWPR15LA217
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Date
2015-07-19
Location
Las Vegas, NV, USA
Airport
KHND
Aircraft
PIPER PA 28-181
Registration
N8740E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The engine's inability to produce full-rated power due to wear on internal engine components, which resulted in a loss of altitude and subsequent landing on uneven terrain. Contributing to the accident was the airplane owner's failure to maintain the engine in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended guidance.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the airplane owner's failure to maintain the engine in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended guidance.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that the takeoff seemed normal, but once airborne, the airplane's climb was "sluggish," and the engine rpm was between 200 and 300 rpm lower than normal. He was able to maintain straight and level flight at 300 ft above ground level. When the pilot made a left turn in an attempt to return to the airport, the airplane immediately began to lose altitude. The pilot subsequently landed in an open construction site. During the landing sequence onto uneven terrain, the landing gear was torn off, and the airplane caught fire, which subsequently consumed the airplane. During postaccident examination of the engine, as the crankshaft was rotated by hand, the travel of the intake valve rockers was about 50% less than normal. Disassembly of the engine revealed wear on the intake lobes of the camshaft and spalling damage on the faces of the tappets. The decreased travel of the intake valves would have reduced the amount of fuel/air mixture allowed into each cylinder, which reduced the overall power the engine could produce. A review of maintenance records revealed that the engine was last overhauled 28 years before the accident and had accumulated 1,461 hours since overhaul. The engine manufacturer recommended that the engine be overhauled after 2,000 hours of operation or after 12 years, whichever occurred first.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff due to abnormal engine performance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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