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NTSB Report
March 28, 1986 · Piper PA-32-260 · N4804S
Henryville, IN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 28, 1986
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 serious injuries)
Location
Henryville, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-260
Tail Number
N4804S
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FEX06
SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING THE ACFT OFF AT 9000 FT MSL, THE PLT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE AND WAS FURTHER DAMAGED DURING THE FORCED LANDING ROLL. METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED DUE TO HIGH CYCLE, LOW STRESS FATIGUE CRACKING WHICH INITIATED FROM A SUBSURFACE ORIGIN AREA. THE CAMSHAFT WAS ALSO FOUND FAILED, BUT THIS WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE OCCURRED FOLLOWING THE CRANKSHAFT FAILURE.
Full Narrative
SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING THE ACFT OFF AT 9000 FT MSL, THE PLT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE AND WAS FURTHER DAMAGED DURING THE FORCED LANDING ROLL. METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED DUE TO HIGH CYCLE, LOW STRESS FATIGUE CRACKING WHICH INITIATED FROM A SUBSURFACE ORIGIN AREA. THE CAMSHAFT WAS ALSO FOUND FAILED, BUT THIS WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE OCCURRED FOLLOWING THE CRANKSHAFT FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 EST
Nearest Airport8nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-260
Tail NumberN4804S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-E4B5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary5 injuries (5 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious5
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO