Piper PA-31-350 N4072A

Summary

On 7 September 1998 at about 23:13 local time, a Piper PA-31-350 registered N4072A, operated by Kenneth Arndt, was involved in an accident near Homer, Alaska, 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

7 September 1998 at 23:13

Classification

Accident

Location

Homer, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

59.4008, -151.3192

Aircraft

Piper PA-31-350

Registration

N4072A

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Kenneth Arndt

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Anchorage

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC98LA143

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of power in the right engine for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot departed from an intersection 2,100 feet from the approach end of the 6,700 feet long runway. Immediately after takeoff the right engine failed. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he feathered the right propeller, and began a wide right turn away from terrain in an attempt to return to the airport. He stated the airspeed did not reach 90 knots, the airspeed and altitude slowly decayed, and the airplane was ditched into smooth water. After recovery, the cowl flaps were found in the 50% open position. No anomalies were found with the fuel system. The airplane departed with full fuel tanks, at a takeoff weight estimated at 6,606 pounds. The right engine was disassembled and no mechanical anomalies were noted. The best single engine rate of climb airspeed is 106 knots, based on cowl flaps closed, and a five degree bank into the operating engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.