Piper PA-46-350P N82LL

Summary

On 13 April 2006 at about 22:10 local time, a Piper PA-46-350P registered N82LL was involved in an accident near Hope, New Mexico, 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

13 April 2006 at 22:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Hope, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

32.8525, -104.4678

Aircraft

Piper PA-46-350P

Registration

N82LL

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Las Cruces → Clovis

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN06LA062

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to failed bearings in the turbocharger and the subsequent oil seal failure leading to oil exhaustion. Factors contributing to the accident were the fractured oil seal and the road sign.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, the engine manifold pressure dropped followed by a loss of oil pressure. The pilot elected to divert to a nearby airport. During the descent, the engine began to fail. The pilot elected to force land the airplane on a road. While setting up for the landing, the engine seized. During the landing roll, the airplane's right wing struck a road sign, causing substantial damage to the airplane. An initial examination of the airplane showed oil adhering along the full length of the bottom fuselage. The oil originated at the engine right side exhaust pipe. An examination of the airplane's engine showed the right hand turbocharger impeller blades were worn at the tips. Some of the blades were fractured. There was also excessive play noted in the compressor assembly. An examination of the turbocharger was conducted at the NTSB Materials Laboratory. The examination determined that the impeller's aluminum bearings were heavily worn and distorted. There was no sign of overheating in the bearings. Attempt to do a Rockwell hardness test were made, but accurate readings could not be gained due to the softness of the metal. Further examination showed damage to the oil seal at the impeller shaft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.