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NTSB Report
March 11, 1986 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N74HB
Hanceville, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 11, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hanceville, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N74HB
Operator
Trans South
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA089
WHILE ENROUTE TO BIRMINGHAM THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE WHEN NO. 2 CYLINDER SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON INTERSTATE 65 NEAR HANCEVILLE, AL, AND THE AIRCRAFTCOLLIDED WITH AN EMBANKMENT ADJACENT TO THE SOUTHBOUND LANES. THE INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERE ENGINE VIBRATIONS TWICE WITHIN THE THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ON BOTH OCCURRENCES THE CYLINDERS WERE OVERHAULED AND THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO SERVICE. THE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WHO REPAIRED THE ENGINE STATED THAT HE DID NOT FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES AS OUTLINED IN THE ENGINE SERVICE MANUAL. THE FAILURE TO RETORQUE AND INSPECT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY CAUSED THE OTHER CYLINDERS STUDS TO LOOSEN AND EVENTUAL NO. 2 CYLINDER FAILURE.
Full Narrative
WHILE ENROUTE TO BIRMINGHAM THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE WHEN NO. 2 CYLINDER SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON INTERSTATE 65 NEAR HANCEVILLE, AL, AND THE AIRCRAFTCOLLIDED WITH AN EMBANKMENT ADJACENT TO THE SOUTHBOUND LANES. THE INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERE ENGINE VIBRATIONS TWICE WITHIN THE THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ON BOTH OCCURRENCES THE CYLINDERS WERE OVERHAULED AND THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO SERVICE. THE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WHO REPAIRED THE ENGINE STATED THAT HE DID NOT FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES AS OUTLINED IN THE ENGINE SERVICE MANUAL. THE FAILURE TO RETORQUE AND INSPECT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY CAUSED THE OTHER CYLINDERS STUDS TO LOOSEN AND EVENTUAL NO. 2 CYLINDER FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:16 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN74HB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTrans South
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 8 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.00 inHg