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NTSB Report
November 25, 1983 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N41873
Zanesville, OH
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 25, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Zanesville, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N41873
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI84LA050
AFTER DEPARTING ZANESVILLE, OH, THE ACFT WAS AT 2500 FT MSL WHEN THE ENG BEGAN TO 'KNOCK'. THE COCKPIT FILED WITH SMOKE & THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE OIL. THE PLT TURNED BACK TO LAND AT THE ARPT. HE REPORTED THAT THE ENG CONTINUED TO RUN UNTIL THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY ON A DOWNWIND FOR RWY 22. AT THAT POINT, THE ENG FAILED. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING APRX 1000 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. THE GROUND CONDITIONS WERE SOFT & THE GEAR COLLIDED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE #3 PISTON HAD FAILED & THE #3 CYLINDER WAS HEAVILY GROOVED. THE #3 CYLINDER (CHROME) HAD BEEN INSTALLED APPRX 40 FT HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ONE OF THE RINGS IN THE #3 PISTON WAS CHROME. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, CHROME PLATED RINGS SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN CHROME PLATED CYLINDERS. AN UNAUTHORIZED, CHAMPION EM-41E, HOT RUNNING SPARK PLUG WAS USED IN THE #3 CYLINDER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE INITIAL PISTON FAILURE WAS A DOME BURN THRU FROM DETONATION ON PRE-IGNITION.
Full Narrative
AFTER DEPARTING ZANESVILLE, OH, THE ACFT WAS AT 2500 FT MSL WHEN THE ENG BEGAN TO 'KNOCK'. THE COCKPIT FILED WITH SMOKE & THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE OIL. THE PLT TURNED BACK TO LAND AT THE ARPT. HE REPORTED THAT THE ENG CONTINUED TO RUN UNTIL THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY ON A DOWNWIND FOR RWY 22. AT THAT POINT, THE ENG FAILED. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING APRX 1000 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. THE GROUND CONDITIONS WERE SOFT & THE GEAR COLLIDED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE #3 PISTON HAD FAILED & THE #3 CYLINDER WAS HEAVILY GROOVED. THE #3 CYLINDER (CHROME) HAD BEEN INSTALLED APPRX 40 FT HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ONE OF THE RINGS IN THE #3 PISTON WAS CHROME. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, CHROME PLATED RINGS SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN CHROME PLATED CYLINDERS. AN UNAUTHORIZED, CHAMPION EM-41E, HOT RUNNING SPARK PLUG WAS USED IN THE #3 CYLINDER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE INITIAL PISTON FAILURE WAS A DOME BURN THRU FROM DETONATION ON PRE-IGNITION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EST
Nearest AirportZanesville Muni (0nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN41873
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 15 kt, gusting 24 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 27 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:00
Weather SourceWFAC