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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 8, 1988 · Piper PA-28 · N4608R

Schaumburg, IL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Schaumburg, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28
Tail Number
N4608R
Operator
Brezina John C
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI89FA005

WHILE CRUISING AT 1900' MSL, APRX 15 MI NORTH OF THE DEPARTURE ARPT, THE PLT NOTED A GRADUAL DECREASE IN ENG RPM. HE APPLIED CARB HEAT & TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT, BUT THE ENG CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT TREES & CRASHED AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A STREET. A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENG COMPARTMENT AFTER THE PLANE CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED A CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED & PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE ENG, ALLOWING OIL TO BE PORTED INTO THE ENG COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ROD HAD FAILED FROM LACK OF LUBRICATION.

NTSB Probable Cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL STARVATION AND THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED EMERGENCY LANDING, DURING WHICH THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND A SWIMMING POOL, BEFORE COMING TO REST ON THE GROUND AND A CHAIN LINK FENCE.

Full Narrative

WHILE CRUISING AT 1900' MSL, APRX 15 MI NORTH OF THE DEPARTURE ARPT, THE PLT NOTED A GRADUAL DECREASE IN ENG RPM. HE APPLIED CARB HEAT & TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT, BUT THE ENG CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT TREES & CRASHED AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A STREET. A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENG COMPARTMENT AFTER THE PLANE CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED A CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED & PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE ENG, ALLOWING OIL TO BE PORTED INTO THE ENG COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ROD HAD FAILED FROM LACK OF LUBRICATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28
Tail NumberN4608R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBrezina John C
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind260° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time10:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data