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NTSB Report
April 3, 1991 · Piper PA-28-181 · N8156E
Vero Beach, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 3, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Vero Beach, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N8156E
Operator
Sun Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA91LA115
WHILE ON A SHORT CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE THEN A GUARDRAIL. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR WHICH DRIVES TWO CRANKSHAFT IDLER GEARS WHICH IN TURN DRIVES EACH MAGNETO DRIVE GEAR FAILED TO DO SO WHEN THE BOLT WHICH SECURES IT TO THE CRANKSHAFT BACKED OUT ABOUT THREE TURNS. THIS WAS DUE TO A FOREIGN OBJECT LOCATED UNDER THE GEAR FOR AN UNDETERMINED TIME. THE LOOSE BOLT RESULTED IN THE TORQUE FROM THE CRANKSHAFT BEING TRANSMITTED TO THE CRANKSHAFT ALIGNMENT DOWEL, WHICH IS A NON-LOAD CARRYING MEMBER. THE ALIGNMENT DOWEL FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENG POWER. THE FOREIGN OBJECT WAS REPORTEDLY NOT LOCATED. REVIEW OF THE ENG LOGBOOKS REVEALED THAT THE ENG WAS OVERHAULED 1,574 HRS EARLIER.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS OF A SERVICE BULLETIN DURING THE MAJOR OVERHAUL OF THE ENGINE. THIS RESULTED IN FAILURE TO DETECT A FOREIGN OBJECT UNDER THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR. AS A RESULT THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR BECAME LOOSE AND QUIT TURNING RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON A SHORT CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE THEN A GUARDRAIL. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR WHICH DRIVES TWO CRANKSHAFT IDLER GEARS WHICH IN TURN DRIVES EACH MAGNETO DRIVE GEAR FAILED TO DO SO WHEN THE BOLT WHICH SECURES IT TO THE CRANKSHAFT BACKED OUT ABOUT THREE TURNS. THIS WAS DUE TO A FOREIGN OBJECT LOCATED UNDER THE GEAR FOR AN UNDETERMINED TIME. THE LOOSE BOLT RESULTED IN THE TORQUE FROM THE CRANKSHAFT BEING TRANSMITTED TO THE CRANKSHAFT ALIGNMENT DOWEL, WHICH IS A NON-LOAD CARRYING MEMBER. THE ALIGNMENT DOWEL FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENG POWER. THE FOREIGN OBJECT WAS REPORTEDLY NOT LOCATED. REVIEW OF THE ENG LOGBOOKS REVEALED THAT THE ENG WAS OVERHAULED 1,574 HRS EARLIER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:15 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN8156E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSun Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind60° @ 13 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO