NTSB Identification: MIA83FA064.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 20524.
Accident occurred Wednesday, January 26, 1983 in MIAMI LAKES, FL
Aircraft: PIPER PA-31, registration: N9003Y
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.THE PLT & A PROSPECTIVE BUYER/PASSENGER WERE ON A LOCAL DEMONSTRATION FLT. PRIOR TO THIS FLT, THE ACFT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR NEARLY 1 YR. SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION ON 1/12/82, IT HAD BEEN FLOWN ONLY 66 HRS. DURING THE PREFLT, THE PLT FOUND THE FUEL TANKS BETWEEN 1/4 FULL & EMPTY. THE SUMPS WERE DRAINED, THE MAIN TANKS WERE FILLED, THEN THE SUMPS WERE DRAINED AGAIN. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT LEVELED THE ACFT AT 1500 FT IN A CRUISE CONFIGURATION. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE LEFT ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, BACKFIRING & LOSING POWER. THE PLT TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT, BUT THE ENG LOST ALL POWER & THE PROP WAS FEATHERED. WHILE RETURNING, THE RIGHT ENG'S CYLINDER HEAD & OIL TEMP BEGAN RISING ABOVE THE RED LINE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT BEGAN LOSING POWER & A WHEELS-UP, FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT BOTH ENGS WERE OUT OF TIME, FIRING WAS INTERMITTENT 1 DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK ON THE LEFT ENG WAS BURNEDDUE TO INCORRECT TIMING. ALSO, THE LEFT TURBOCHARGER GATE WAS STUCK OPEN & THE LEFT FUEL FILTER WAS PARTIALLY CLOGGED.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
MAINTENANCE..INADEQUATE..OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL
Contributing Factors
WHEELS UP LANDING..PERFORMED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
IGNITION SYSTEM,MAGNETO..INCORRECT
Contributing Factors
MAINTENANCE,ADJUSTMENT..IMPROPER..OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL
Contributing Factors
IGNITION SYSTEM,DISTRIBUTOR..ARCING
Contributing Factors
FUEL SYSTEM,FILTER..BLOCKED(PARTIAL)
Contributing Factors
MAINTENANCE,INSPECTION..INADEQUATE..OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL
Contributing Factors
FLUID,FUEL..STARVATION
Contributing Factors
EXHAUST SYSTEM,TURBOCHARGER..BINDING(MECHANICAL)
Contributing Factors
AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE,TWO OR MORE ENGINES..FAILURE,PARTIAL
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