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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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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April 12, 1985 · Piper PA-32R-300 · N46PC

Marion, AL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
April 12, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Marion, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-300
Tail Number
N46PC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
ATL85IA132

CRUISING AT 4000 FT MSL WHEN ENGINE VIBRATION OCCURRED AND BECAME SEVERE. REDUCED THROTTE BUT ROUGHNESS PERSISTED. UNABLE TO MNTN ALTITUDE WITH 2000 RPM AND 25 INCHES MAP. MADE FORCED LDG IN CORN FIELD. NOSE LDG GR COLLAPSED. ENGINE CHECKED OUT OKAY. ONE PROPELLER PIN BROKEN DUE TO FATIGUE. OPPOSITE OUTER BEARING RACE RUSTED AND BROKEN WITH FATIGUE FRACTURE. LUBRICANT WAS DRY AND CAKED ON BEARINGS AND BEARING RACE. 34 HRS SINCE 100-HR INSPECTION. 1084 HOURS SINCE PROP OVERHAUL.

Full Narrative

CRUISING AT 4000 FT MSL WHEN ENGINE VIBRATION OCCURRED AND BECAME SEVERE. REDUCED THROTTE BUT ROUGHNESS PERSISTED. UNABLE TO MNTN ALTITUDE WITH 2000 RPM AND 25 INCHES MAP. MADE FORCED LDG IN CORN FIELD. NOSE LDG GR COLLAPSED. ENGINE CHECKED OUT OKAY. ONE PROPELLER PIN BROKEN DUE TO FATIGUE. OPPOSITE OUTER BEARING RACE RUSTED AND BROKEN WITH FATIGUE FRACTURE. LUBRICANT WAS DRY AND CAKED ON BEARINGS AND BEARING RACE. 34 HRS SINCE 100-HR INSPECTION. 1084 HOURS SINCE PROP OVERHAUL.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time06:40 CST
Nearest AirportPerry County (2nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32R-300
Tail NumberN46PC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind60° @ 4 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data