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June 11, 1986 · Piper PA-24-400 · N8495P

St.Augustine, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
St.Augustine, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-400
Tail Number
N8495P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA86LA179

A FORCED LDG WAS MADE AFTER THE ENG FAILED WHILE CRUISING AT 8000 FT. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE TOP OF THE CRANKCASE WAS CRACKED & A HOLE WAS IN THE TOP OF THE CASE AT THE NO. 2 CYLINDER. THE BOTTOM OF THE CAP OF THE NO. 2 CONNECTING ROD HAD BROKEN OFF & THE ROD WAS PROTRUDING THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE CASE. WHEN THE ROD FAILED, ENG OIL SPRAYED OVER THE WINDSHIELD OBSCURING THE PLT'S FORWARD VISION. THE ACFT WAS A 1964 MODEL & ACCORDING TO RECORDS, THE ENG HAD NEVER BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ACFT OR OVERHAULED DURING THE 22 YEAR PERIOD SINCE NEW. TOTAL TIME ON THE ACFT AND ENG WAS 1446 HOURS. THE OWNER/PLT STATED THAT HE FELT THE ENG SHOULD HAVE 'GOTTEN 1600 HRS OR MORE, INSTEAD OF 1446' BEFORE ANY FAILURE.

Full Narrative

A FORCED LDG WAS MADE AFTER THE ENG FAILED WHILE CRUISING AT 8000 FT. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE TOP OF THE CRANKCASE WAS CRACKED & A HOLE WAS IN THE TOP OF THE CASE AT THE NO. 2 CYLINDER. THE BOTTOM OF THE CAP OF THE NO. 2 CONNECTING ROD HAD BROKEN OFF & THE ROD WAS PROTRUDING THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE CASE. WHEN THE ROD FAILED, ENG OIL SPRAYED OVER THE WINDSHIELD OBSCURING THE PLT'S FORWARD VISION. THE ACFT WAS A 1964 MODEL & ACCORDING TO RECORDS, THE ENG HAD NEVER BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ACFT OR OVERHAULED DURING THE 22 YEAR PERIOD SINCE NEW. TOTAL TIME ON THE ACFT AND ENG WAS 1446 HOURS. THE OWNER/PLT STATED THAT HE FELT THE ENG SHOULD HAVE 'GOTTEN 1600 HRS OR MORE, INSTEAD OF 1446' BEFORE ANY FAILURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 EDT
Nearest AirportSt. Augustine (0nm N)
Runway20
Runway Length2530 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-400
Tail NumberN8495P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-720-A1A · Reciprocating · 400
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:48
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data