Challis Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Challis, Idaho 83226
Saturday, August 13, 2005 10:30 MDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the propeller RPM became erratic and uncontrollable and he elected to return to the airport. He reported that during the descent, the airplane developed a rough running engine and eventually lost power resulting in an off airport landing. Preliminary external examination of the assembly revealed a large hole in the engines crankcase, adjacent to the number four cylinder assembly. The number four piston rod was fractured and extensive heat distress, deformation and discoloration was noted to both the number three and number four piston assemblies. A representative from Textron Lycoming reported that this type of damage is indicative of oil depravation. Further examination of the engine assembly revealed that the hydraulic pump adapter pad cover gasket was protruding from between the accessory mounting pad and its associated cover. A section of the gasket separated and was displaced from its installed position. The FAA Airworthiness Inspector overseeing the examination reported that the installed gasket was intended to be used in conjunction with a hydraulic pump, if applicable, however, this particular engine configuration does not utilize a hydraulic pump, and therefore a hydraulic pump adapter pad gasket should have been installed. Personnel at the Challis airport reported that a large puddle of oil was found in the run-up area following the airplane's pre takeoff run-up and departure.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The installation of an improper oil gasket by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of engine oil and subsequent loss of engine power during the emergency descent.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 8/13/2005
Event Day of the Week Saturday
Time of Event 1030
Event Time Zone Mountain Daylight Time
Event City Challis
Event State IDAHO
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 83226
Event Date Year 2005
Event Date Month 8
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 443123N
Event Location Longitude 1141303W
Event Location Airport CHALLIS
Event Location Nearest Airport ID U15
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 0.25
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 5072
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1030 Mountain Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) --
Weather Observation Facility ID KLLJ
Elevation of weather observation facility 5072
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 1
Time Zone of the weather observation MDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 16
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 4
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 30
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 7
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.13
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Serious
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious 2
Injury Total All 2
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 19429
NTSB Notification Source FAA-ROC
NTSB Notification Date Aug 13 2005 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Mar 28 2006 1:55PM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\JOHB
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office Boise, Idaho

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N6677P
NTSB Number SEA05LA170
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Piper
Aircraft Model PA-24-250
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 24-1801
Certified Max Gross Weight 2800
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Retractable
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Aug 1 2004 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 35
Airframe Hours 4571
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated --
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Christopher James Trust
Aircraft Owner Street Address PO Box 510
Aircraft Owner City Challis
Aircraft Owner State ID
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 83226
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country --
Operator Zip code --
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code KLLJ
Departure City Challis
Departure State ID
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1030
Departure Time Zone MDT
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code U62
Destination City MACKAY
Destination State ID
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight Emergency landing
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 12 2006 4:47PM
User who most recently changed record STAM
Since inspection or accident Last Inspection
Event Location Runway Number and Location 34
Runway Length 4600
Runway Width 60
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --