ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 290828
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Monday 7 September 2015 |
| Time: | 15:30 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-28R-201T |
| Owner/operator: | |
| Registration: | N44903 |
| MSN: | 28R-7703341 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1977 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3923 hours |
| Engine model: | Continental TSIO-360-FB |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Atmore, Alabama -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | FOLEY, AL (5R4) |
| Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, AL (TCL/KTCL) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The private pilot and the passenger departed on a cross-country flight. The pilot stated that the airplane was at an altitude of 4,500 ft mean sea level when the engine lost oil pressure, followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot landed the airplane on a two-lane country road. During the landing roll, the airplane's right wing struck mailboxes, which caused substantial damage to the right wing. Examination of the engine revealed the torque values for the No. 2 cylinder upper through bolt nuts, both No. 3 cylinder through bolt nuts, and the No. 5 cylinder through bolt nuts were below factory specifications for breakaway torque. Further examination revealed that the No. 3 connecting rod was separated from the crankshaft, the No. 2 main bearings had shifted, and there were signs of oil starvation. The likely insufficiently torqued nuts allowed the No. 2 bearings to shift and rotate, which resulted in oil starvation to the corresponding connecting rods and main bearings and ultimately led to the failure of the No. 3 connecting rod, ancillary damage to other internal components of the engine, and a total loss of engine power. Review of maintenance records revealed that the No 3. cylinder had been removed and reinstalled about 1 year before the accident. The engine's most recent annual inspection was completed about 9 months before the accident. There were no irregularities noted, and all airworthiness directives were complied with as noted by the mechanic. The investigation could not determine whether the loosening of the nut torque was due to improper installation or another unrelated issue.
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to oil starvation caused by insufficiently torqued cylinder through bolt nuts, which caused bearings to shift and led to the subsequent failure of the No. 3 connecting rod.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB ERA15LA345
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 07-Oct-2022 05:57 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation