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January 31, 1985 · Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30 · N2129G
Bishop, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 31, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Bishop, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N2129G
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85FA130
THE PLT RPTD THAT SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING OFF AT 11500 FT MSL, THE ENGINE EXPLODED CAUSING BOTH WINDSCREENS TO BE COVERED WITH OIL AND FIRE. THE FIRE STOPPED DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT. THE ACFT LANDED ON RY 30 AT BISHOP ARPT, BISHOP, CA WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. DISASSEMBLY EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED CRANKSHAFT FAILED AT THE SHORT CHEEK BETWEEN THE NO. 3 MAIN JOURNAL & THE NO. 4 CRANKPIN. THE NOS. 3 & 4 CONNECTING RODS & CAMSHAFT WERE FRACTURED. THE PISTONS SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DETONATION. THE BACKSIDE OF THE CON RODS, MAIN JOURNAL BEARINGS & BOTH HALVES OF THE CRANKCASE SHOWED EXTENSIVE FRETTING SIGNATURES INDICATING MISALIGNMENT DURING MANUFACTURE. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED IN FATIGUE. ALL OTHER FRACTURES WERE OVERLOAD SUBSEQUENT TO THE CRANKSHAFT FAILURE. THE ENGINE HAD ACCUMULATED 602 FLT HOURS SINCE NEW.
Full Narrative
THE PLT RPTD THAT SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING OFF AT 11500 FT MSL, THE ENGINE EXPLODED CAUSING BOTH WINDSCREENS TO BE COVERED WITH OIL AND FIRE. THE FIRE STOPPED DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT. THE ACFT LANDED ON RY 30 AT BISHOP ARPT, BISHOP, CA WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. DISASSEMBLY EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED CRANKSHAFT FAILED AT THE SHORT CHEEK BETWEEN THE NO. 3 MAIN JOURNAL & THE NO. 4 CRANKPIN. THE NOS. 3 & 4 CONNECTING RODS & CAMSHAFT WERE FRACTURED. THE PISTONS SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DETONATION. THE BACKSIDE OF THE CON RODS, MAIN JOURNAL BEARINGS & BOTH HALVES OF THE CRANKCASE SHOWED EXTENSIVE FRETTING SIGNATURES INDICATING MISALIGNMENT DURING MANUFACTURE. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED IN FATIGUE. ALL OTHER FRACTURES WERE OVERLOAD SUBSEQUENT TO THE CRANKSHAFT FAILURE. THE ENGINE HAD ACCUMULATED 602 FLT HOURS SINCE NEW.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:24 PST
Nearest AirportBISHOP (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length7500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN2129G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 34 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 23 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:50
Weather SourceWFAC