Piper PA-31-350 N27196

Summary

On 8 August 1998 at about 17:50 local time, a Piper PA-31-350 registered N27196, operated by Air Bridge, Inc., was involved in an accident near Alamosa, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 August 1998 at 17:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Alamosa, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

37.4609, -105.8697

Aircraft

Piper PA-31-350

Registration

N27196

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Air Bridge, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kansas City → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA350

Nobody was injured.

Improper major overhaul of the engine by the overhaul facility. Factors were failure of the V-band clamp, the melting of the baffle and manifold clamp, and the pilot not being able to extend the landing gear.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was being ferried to its home base after both engine had received major overhauls. As the airplane approached Alamosa, the left engine lost power. Unable to restart the engine, the pilot feathered the propeller. The landing gear would only extend partially. The airplane would not maintain flying speed nor altitude and the pilot elected to make a forced landing in a cow pasture. Examination of the engine disclosed a broken coupling bolt on the right side of the turbocharger, preventing the V-band clamp from completely securing the exhaust pipe to the turbocharger, permitting hot exhaust gases to escape into the engine compartment. The turbocharger transition baffle was found partially melted and the manifold pressure line was burnt through and separated, allowing the mixture to enrichen and flood the engine. Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin 240P requires all V-band couplings and gaskets to be replaced when an engine is overhauled. The failed V-band coupling was found to be rusted and discolored, suggesting it had not been replaced. Additionally, the failed manifold pressure line used was made of rubber instead of flex stainless steel line.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.