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NTSB Report
December 12, 1985 · Piper PA-46-310P · N4380A
Evanston, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 12, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Evanston, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-46-310P
Tail Number
N4380A
Operator
Plane Masters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FA111
THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON CLIMBOUT ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN IN VMC CONDITIONS WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. A RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED AND THE ENGINE RAN FOR A MINUTE OR LESS. SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER LAKE MICHIGAN AND HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO REACH THE SHORELINE. A SUCCESSFUL WATER LANDING WAS MADE AND THE OCCUPANTS WERE PICKED UP BY THE COAST GUARD UNHARMED. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FRACTURED.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON CLIMBOUT ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN IN VMC CONDITIONS WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. A RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED AND THE ENGINE RAN FOR A MINUTE OR LESS. SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER LAKE MICHIGAN AND HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO REACH THE SHORELINE. A SUCCESSFUL WATER LANDING WAS MADE AND THE OCCUPANTS WERE PICKED UP BY THE COAST GUARD UNHARMED. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FRACTURED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-46-310P
Tail NumberN4380A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPlane Masters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-BE · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 9 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourceWFAC