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August 24, 1984 · Piper PA-32-260 · N5541J

Woodstock, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (6 uninjured)
Location
Woodstock, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-260
Tail Number
N5541J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI84LA359

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE WX WAS VMC & NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN A FARM FIELD THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF AND THE NOSE GEAR BENT. THE LEFT WING WAS ALSO SUBSTANTIALLYDAMAGED. THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT & THE OIL FILTER WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN FINE CHIPS OF ALUMINUM. THE OIL PUMP APPEARED TO BE OPERABLE. ALL SIX CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS WERE HEAT SCORCHED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF 3000 FT MSL THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. HE SAID HE HEADED BACK TO ARPT OF ORIGIN BUT EN ROUTE THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE WX WAS VMC & NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN A FARM FIELD THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF AND THE NOSE GEAR BENT. THE LEFT WING WAS ALSO SUBSTANTIALLYDAMAGED. THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT & THE OIL FILTER WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN FINE CHIPS OF ALUMINUM. THE OIL PUMP APPEARED TO BE OPERABLE. ALL SIX CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS WERE HEAT SCORCHED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF 3000 FT MSL THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. HE SAID HE HEADED BACK TO ARPT OF ORIGIN BUT EN ROUTE THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:30 CDT
Nearest AirportLake-In-The-Hills (15nm NNW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-260
Tail NumberN5541J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-E4B5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (6 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured6
Total6
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind20° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time09:50

Appendix: Source Data