PIPER PA-28-180 near Lucedale, MS — 2010-06-08
- Date
- 2010-06-08
- Location
- Lucedale, MS, USA
- Aircraft
- PIPER PA-28-180
- Registration
- N5118L
- Category
- Airplane
- Highest injury
- None
- Fatalities
- 0
- Phase of flight
- Climb
Probable cause
The partial separation of the No. 3 cylinder due to improper torquing of the cylinder hold-down bolts by maintenance personnel during installation of the cylinder.
NTSB narrative
About 20 minutes after takeoff, the pilot heard a "pop" that sounded as if it came from the engine compartment. The engine then experienced a loss of power and the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane nosed over. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder had partially separated from the engine case. Additionally, the attaching hardware was loose and the thru-bolts were broken. The cylinder had been replaced 16 flight hours prior to the accident.
Analysis
- Primary failure mode
- Engine power loss
- First missed decision gate
- Pilot could have diverted to a closer airport sooner after engine failure.
NTSB coding
Evidence available
- Photos
- 8 docket documents
Docket documents8
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
- Pilot Interviewsinterview
- Annual Inspection Paperworkother
- Maintenance Logbook Excerptsother
- Recorded METAR observationsother
- FAA Inspector Photos and Examination Notesphotos
- Photo 1: Aircraft at accident site (photo courtesy of FAA)photos
- Photo 2: Aircraft right side (photo courtesy of FAA)photos
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