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NTSB Report
July 30, 1984 · Piper PA32R300 · N1654H
Des Moines, IA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 30, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Des Moines, IA
Aircraft
Piper PA32R300
Tail Number
N1654H
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC84FA235
THE ACFT ENG BEGAN TO 'SHUDDER BADLY' UPON REACHING A CRUISE ALT OF 3500 FT MSL SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG COURSE REVERSAL TO RETURN TO THE ARPT BUT REPORTED TO ATC HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUTSIDE THE ACFT BECAUSE OIL WAS SMEARED ON THE ACFT. THE ENG LOST TOTAL PWR AFTER THE PLT COMPLETED THE TURN. THE PLT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ON A FARM DURING WHICH THE LANDING GEAR SEPARATED UPON CONTACTING THE LIP OF A FENCEROW. THE ACFT THEN TRAVELED THRU A BARBED WIRE FENCE WHERE THE WINGS WERE DAMAGED BY FENCE POSTS. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF FAILED ENG COMPONENTS REVEALED 2 CONNECTING RODS FAILED FROM HIGH STRESS FATIGUE. THREE CAM FOLLOWERS SHOWED THE HEADS WERE SEVERLY WORN AND SUFFERED HEAVY SPALLING DAMAGE.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT ENG BEGAN TO 'SHUDDER BADLY' UPON REACHING A CRUISE ALT OF 3500 FT MSL SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG COURSE REVERSAL TO RETURN TO THE ARPT BUT REPORTED TO ATC HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUTSIDE THE ACFT BECAUSE OIL WAS SMEARED ON THE ACFT. THE ENG LOST TOTAL PWR AFTER THE PLT COMPLETED THE TURN. THE PLT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ON A FARM DURING WHICH THE LANDING GEAR SEPARATED UPON CONTACTING THE LIP OF A FENCEROW. THE ACFT THEN TRAVELED THRU A BARBED WIRE FENCE WHERE THE WINGS WERE DAMAGED BY FENCE POSTS. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF FAILED ENG COMPONENTS REVEALED 2 CONNECTING RODS FAILED FROM HIGH STRESS FATIGUE. THREE CAM FOLLOWERS SHOWED THE HEADS WERE SEVERLY WORN AND SUFFERED HEAVY SPALLING DAMAGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:10 CDT
Nearest Airport2nm SW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA32R300
Tail NumberN1654H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time03:10
Weather SourceWFAC