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Piney Point, MD
WHILE DESCENDING IN IFR CONDITIONS NEAR THE DESTINATION, THE ENG LOST POWER AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 3800 TO 4000 FT. THE PLT REQUESTED VECTORS TOWARD LAND & THE NEAREST ARPT; HOWEVER, WHEN IT BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS AT ABOUT 1000 FT AGL, THE ACFT WAS STILL OVER WATER. UNABLE TO REACH LAND, THE PLT DITCHED THE ACFT IN THE MOUTH OF THE POTOMAC RIVER ABOUT 3/4 MI FROM SHORE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG, REVEALED HOLES IN EACH SIDE OF THE TOP PORTION OF THE CRANKCASE BETWEEN THE #1 & #2 CYLINDERS. A TEAR DOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #2 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A LACK OF LUBRICATION. THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS HAD EVIDENCE OF EXTREME WEAR & HEAT, & THE RESPECTIVE CRANKSHAFT JOURNALS SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT & WEAR. ALSO, THE OIL PUMP CAVITY & WALLS WERE SCRATCHED & GALLED.
WHILE DESCENDING IN IFR CONDITIONS NEAR THE DESTINATION, THE ENG LOST POWER AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 3800 TO 4000 FT. THE PLT REQUESTED VECTORS TOWARD LAND & THE NEAREST ARPT; HOWEVER, WHEN IT BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS AT ABOUT 1000 FT AGL, THE ACFT WAS STILL OVER WATER. UNABLE TO REACH LAND, THE PLT DITCHED THE ACFT IN THE MOUTH OF THE POTOMAC RIVER ABOUT 3/4 MI FROM SHORE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG, REVEALED HOLES IN EACH SIDE OF THE TOP PORTION OF THE CRANKCASE BETWEEN THE #1 & #2 CYLINDERS. A TEAR DOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #2 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A LACK OF LUBRICATION. THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS HAD EVIDENCE OF EXTREME WEAR & HEAT, & THE RESPECTIVE CRANKSHAFT JOURNALS SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT & WEAR. ALSO, THE OIL PUMP CAVITY & WALLS WERE SCRATCHED & GALLED.