ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 298092
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| Date: | Thursday 14 December 2017 |
| Time: | 08:54 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-32-300 |
| Owner/operator: | |
| Registration: | N4326X |
| MSN: | 32-7640010 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1975 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3664 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Hinesville, Georgia -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Metter Municipal Airport, GA (KMHP) |
| Hinesville-Wright AAF, GA (LIY/KLHW) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
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.
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to the failure of a connecting rod.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB WPR18LA051
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 15-Oct-2022 12:55 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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