PIPER PA 32-300 near Hinesville, GA — 2017-12-14
- Date
- 2017-12-14
- Location
- Hinesville, GA, USA
- Airport
- LHW
- Aircraft
- PIPER PA 32-300
- Registration
- N4326X
- Category
- Airplane
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Fatalities
- 0
- Phase of flight
- Approach
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power due to the failure of a connecting rod.
NTSB narrative
The pilot reported that, while on final approach for landing, he felt a shudder followed by a loud bang. Immediately after, the windscreen was covered in oil and the engine lost all power. The airplane impacted trees about 2 miles short of the runway. Examination of the engine revealed a large hole in the crankcase above the No. 4 cylinder. Further examination revealed that one connecting rod bolt and the connecting rod cap were missing, and the connecting rod was not attached to the crankshaft. About 6 inches of the camshaft was also missing. The remaining components of the connecting rod, piston assembly, and pieces of connecting rod bearing were examined; all of the discernible fracture surfaces exhibited features consistent with overstress. Extensive postfracture damage to the recovered pieces precluded the determination of any preexisting damage. Based upon the lack of available evidence (the missing connecting rod cap and rod bolt), the cause of the connecting rod failure could not be determined.
Analysis
- Primary failure mode
- Engine power loss
- First missed decision gate
- Pilot could have aborted the approach upon engine failure.
NTSB coding
Evidence available
- Photos
- 6 docket documents