Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Parker, Colorado 80134
Saturday, February 25, 2006 8:45 MST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot stated that during cruise flight the engine rpm increased to an "over speed condition." When he increased power, he could not keep the rpm under redline and he elected to perform a forced landing. During the landing, the landing gear collapsed resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated they had been having difficulty obtaining full rpm from the engine. He stated that the propeller governor had been adjusted several times, but full rpm was never obtained. On November 16, 2005, at an engine tachometer time of 1,959.37, the oil and filter were removed and replaced, and an oil sample was sent for analysis. The results from that analysis indicated "excessive wear." Removal of the oil suction screen revealed metal contamination inside and outside the screen. Examination of the propeller governor revealed the adjustment screw had been adjusted beyond its maximum stop. The propeller governor was removed and the screen between the governor and the engine was entirely obstructed with metal contamination. Removal and examination of the oil filter revealed metal contamination. Broken portions of the number two main bearing were found within the oil sump. Breakaway torque values revealed that the number two and number three cylinder throughbolt nuts, at the cylinder flange, were loose at 500 inch/pounds. Further examination revealed metal contamination throughout the engine, including the oil pump and the oil cooler. No other anomalies were noted with the airframe, propeller, or engine.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

the improper maintenance procedures resulting in the unseating of the number two main bearing. Contributing factors include the mechanic's improper troubleshooting procedures, and the pilot's improper decision to continue operating the airplane with known internal excessive engine wear, and engine rpm issues.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 2/25/2006
Event Day of the Week Saturday
Time of Event 845
Event Time Zone Mountain Standard Time
Event City Parker
Event State COLORADO
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 80134
Event Date Year 2006
Event Date Month 2
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude --
Event Location Longitude --
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 853 Mountain Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 145
Weather Observation Facility ID APA
Elevation of weather observation facility 5883
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 15
Time Zone of the weather observation MST
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 8000
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 700
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Scattered
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling Broken
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 7
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) -3
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) -6
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator --
Wind Speed (knots) --
Wind Velocity Indicator Calm
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.25
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 2
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 19978
NTSB Notification Source FAA-Northwest Mountain Region
NTSB Notification Date Feb 25 2006 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Aug 29 2006 3:49PM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\JOHB
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office Denver FAA Flight Standards District Office

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N2939V
NTSB Number DEN06LA044
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-28RT-201T
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 28R-7931264
Certified Max Gross Weight 2900
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 Jul 1 2005 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 3817
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name On File
Aircraft Owner Street Address On File
Aircraft Owner City Thornton
Aircraft Owner State CO
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 80241
Operator is an individual? Yes
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 Yes
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code FTG
Departure City DENVER
Departure State CO
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 830
Departure Time Zone MST
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code 7V1
Destination City BUENA VISTA
Destination State CO
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight Cruise
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record May 10 2006 4:56PM
User who most recently changed record BOWL
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location --
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --