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NTSB Report
February 12, 1984 · Piper PA-24-260 · N8984P
Crested Butte, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 12, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Crested Butte, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-260
Tail Number
N8984P
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN84LA091
THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN AFTER THE ENGINE FAILED DURING CLIMB. AN INVESTIGAITON REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD 50 WEIGHT OIL IN IT AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 15 DEGREES F. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN, PRE-HEATED FROM THE TOP BECAUSE THE HOSE COULD NOT BE INSERTED THROUGH THE LOWER COWL NEAR THE OIL SUMP. AN ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED THE #3 & #4 CONNECTING ROD CAP BOLTS HAD FAILED AFTER THE ROD BEARINGS HAD 'FROZEN' FROM LACK OF LUBRICATION.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN AFTER THE ENGINE FAILED DURING CLIMB. AN INVESTIGAITON REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD 50 WEIGHT OIL IN IT AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 15 DEGREES F. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN, PRE-HEATED FROM THE TOP BECAUSE THE HOSE COULD NOT BE INSERTED THROUGH THE LOWER COWL NEAR THE OIL SUMP. AN ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED THE #3 & #4 CONNECTING ROD CAP BOLTS HAD FAILED AFTER THE ROD BEARINGS HAD 'FROZEN' FROM LACK OF LUBRICATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:07 MST
Nearest AirportCrested Butte (1nm N)
Runway11
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-260
Tail NumberN8984P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO