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NTSB Report
May 6, 1982 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N4903J
Front Royal, VA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Front Royal, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N4903J
Operator
Ralph Joseph Hubert
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL82DA126
DURING FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE DEVELOPED A NOISE WHICH THE PILOT DESCRIBED AS A HISSING. THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, WAS VECTORED TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT, AND PROCEEDED TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AT 5000 FEET WHEN OVER THE AIRPORT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE WAS FLOWN BENEATH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES LOCATED NEAR THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD AND IMPACTED APPROXIMATELY 200 YARDS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH OF THE NUMBER 1 EXHAUST RISER WAS FOUND ATTACHED TO THE CYLINDER WITH THE REMAINDER LYING IN THE ENGINE COWL LOWER SECTION. EXAMINATION REVEALED SOOT DEPOSITS ON THE ENGINE COWL ADJACENT TO THE NUMBER 1 ENGINE EXHAUST RISER. A LIGHT BROWN DISCOLORATION WAS OBSERVED ON THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER LOWER SPARK PLUG AND THE FRACTURE SURFACES OF THE SEPARATED NUMBER 1 EXHAUST RISER. THE PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION INDICATED THAT MISALIGNMENT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD COULD RESULT IN A CRACKED STACK ASSEMBLY IMMEDIATELY BELOW THE STACK ASSEMBLY FLANGE.
Full Narrative
DURING FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE DEVELOPED A NOISE WHICH THE PILOT DESCRIBED AS A HISSING. THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, WAS VECTORED TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT, AND PROCEEDED TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AT 5000 FEET WHEN OVER THE AIRPORT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE WAS FLOWN BENEATH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES LOCATED NEAR THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD AND IMPACTED APPROXIMATELY 200 YARDS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH OF THE NUMBER 1 EXHAUST RISER WAS FOUND ATTACHED TO THE CYLINDER WITH THE REMAINDER LYING IN THE ENGINE COWL LOWER SECTION. EXAMINATION REVEALED SOOT DEPOSITS ON THE ENGINE COWL ADJACENT TO THE NUMBER 1 ENGINE EXHAUST RISER. A LIGHT BROWN DISCOLORATION WAS OBSERVED ON THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER LOWER SPARK PLUG AND THE FRACTURE SURFACES OF THE SEPARATED NUMBER 1 EXHAUST RISER. THE PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION INDICATED THAT MISALIGNMENT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD COULD RESULT IN A CRACKED STACK ASSEMBLY IMMEDIATELY BELOW THE STACK ASSEMBLY FLANGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 EDT
Nearest AirportFront Royal-Warren Co (0nm N)
Runway9
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN4903J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRalph Joseph Hubert
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-B1E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:55