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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

June 20, 1986 · Piper PA-24-250 · N6639P

West Chester, OH

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

June 20, 1986

Injury Outcomes

No injuries (1 uninjured)

Location

West Chester, OH

Aircraft

Piper PA-24-250

Tail Number

N6639P

Operator

Robert O Hefner

Injuries

None

Aircraft Damage

Substantial

NTSB Number

ATL86LA177

DRG FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT. HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD, BUT DRG THE LNDG ROLL, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A ROAD SIGN. A POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #6 CYLINDER HAD SEPARATED APRX 4' ABOVE THE CYLINDER FLANGE. A METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE REVEALED THERE WAS A FATIGUE CRACK PRESENT PRIORTO THE FAILURE. THE ENG WAS OVERHAULED APRX 11 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. NO FATIGUE CRACKING WAS NOTED AT THAT TIME.

Full Narrative

DRG FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT. HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD, BUT DRG THE LNDG ROLL, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A ROAD SIGN. A POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #6 CYLINDER HAD SEPARATED APRX 4' ABOVE THE CYLINDER FLANGE. A METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE REVEALED THERE WAS A FATIGUE CRACK PRESENT PRIORTO THE FAILURE. THE ENG WAS OVERHAULED APRX 11 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. NO FATIGUE CRACKING WAS NOTED AT THAT TIME.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time14:45 EDT

Nearest Airport0nm N

Runway0

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250

Tail NumberN6639P

Aircraft CategoryAir

DamageSubstantial

OperatorRobert O Hefner

Operating RulePart 91

Engines1

Engine TypeReciprocating

Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1C5 · Reciprocating · 250

Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)

Fatal0

Serious0

Minor0

Uninjured1

Total1

Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

Wind270°

Visibility5 sm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C

Altimeter0

Weather SourcePILO

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June 20, 1986 · Piper PA-24-250 · N6639P

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