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NTSB Report
September 15, 1988 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N32105
Gray, GA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Gray, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N32105
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA251
INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT AFTER COMPLETING A STALL SERIES THE ENGINE BEGAN TO BACKFIRE CONTINOUSLY & POWER WAS LOST SO THAT HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE AND A FENCE WAS HIT DURING THE LANDING ROLL. ENG HAD BEEN OVERHAULED & INSTALLED IN ACFT 36 HOURS PRIOR. FAA MAINTENANCE INSPECTOR DESCRIBED OVERHAUL AS GOOD. NO ENG MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN DONE SINCE ENG INSTALLED IN ACFT. ACFT WAS PARKED ON OUTSIDE RAMP. FAA INSPECTOR FOUND THE NUTS & LOCKWASHERS MISSING FROM THE NO. 3 CYLINDER VALVE ROCKER SHAFT HOLD DOWN PLATES WHICH ALLOWED THE EXHAUST ROCKER SHAFT TO BACK OUT OF THE CYLINDER AND THE INTAKE ROCKER SHAFT TO BACK OUT OF THE CYLINDER. RESULT WAS LOSS OF OPERATION OF THE NO. 3 CYLINDER & SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ALL REMAINING ROCKER SHAFT NUTS WERE TIGHT.
Full Narrative
INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT AFTER COMPLETING A STALL SERIES THE ENGINE BEGAN TO BACKFIRE CONTINOUSLY & POWER WAS LOST SO THAT HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE AND A FENCE WAS HIT DURING THE LANDING ROLL. ENG HAD BEEN OVERHAULED & INSTALLED IN ACFT 36 HOURS PRIOR. FAA MAINTENANCE INSPECTOR DESCRIBED OVERHAUL AS GOOD. NO ENG MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN DONE SINCE ENG INSTALLED IN ACFT. ACFT WAS PARKED ON OUTSIDE RAMP. FAA INSPECTOR FOUND THE NUTS & LOCKWASHERS MISSING FROM THE NO. 3 CYLINDER VALVE ROCKER SHAFT HOLD DOWN PLATES WHICH ALLOWED THE EXHAUST ROCKER SHAFT TO BACK OUT OF THE CYLINDER AND THE INTAKE ROCKER SHAFT TO BACK OUT OF THE CYLINDER. RESULT WAS LOSS OF OPERATION OF THE NO. 3 CYLINDER & SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ALL REMAINING ROCKER SHAFT NUTS WERE TIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN32105
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 4 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:55
Weather SourceWFAC