Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-24-250 near Lopez, WA — 2011-07-17

Final reportWPR11LA340
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Date
2011-07-17
Location
Lopez, WA, USA
Airport
4WA4
Aircraft
PIPER PA-24-250
Registration
N5532P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power due to a cracked engine case near the rear cylinder.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, he heard a loud bang and felt a vibration. The cockpit filled with smoke, and oil covered the windshield, both of which compromised the pilot's view. He opened a side vent window and regained visibility. The pilot chose to land on a nearby landing strip. During the landing roll, the pilot realized that the strip was short and wet, so he intentionally placed the airplane in a "ground slide." Before the airplane came to a stop, its left wing struck a fence post, which caused structural damage to the airplane. The pilot reported that, during his postaccident examination of the airplane, he observed a crack in the engine case near the rear cylinder on the engine's left side. No further examination was accomplished.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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