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NTSB Report
December 7, 1985 · Piper PA-28-181 · N5388F
Clover, SC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 7, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Clover, SC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N5388F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86FA037
THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AND ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. DURING LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SMALL TREES ON THE FAR END OF THE FIELD. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED THAT THE BOLT WHICH HELD THE CRANKSHAFT DRIVE GEAR IN PLACE WAS LOOSE, ALLOWING THE DRIVE GEAR TO ROTATE AND BREAK THE DOWEL PIN.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AND ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. DURING LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SMALL TREES ON THE FAR END OF THE FIELD. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED THAT THE BOLT WHICH HELD THE CRANKSHAFT DRIVE GEAR IN PLACE WAS LOOSE, ALLOWING THE DRIVE GEAR TO ROTATE AND BREAK THE DOWEL PIN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:12 EST
Nearest Airport5nm SSW
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN5388F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 18 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC