Piper PA-46-350P N394PM

Summary

On 2 December 1996 at about 20:21 local time, a Piper PA-46-350P registered N394PM was involved in an accident near Myerstown, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 December 1996 at 20:21

Classification

Accident

Location

Myerstown, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.3703, -76.3004

Aircraft

Piper PA-46-350P

Registration

N394PM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Harrisburg Intl → Somerset

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC97LA024

1 person was seriously injured.

fatigue failure of the connecting rod to crankshaft attachments, due to inadequate overhaul of the engine by the manufacturer, which resulted in a loss of engine power and a forced landing. Factors relating to the accident included the discharge of oil from the ruptured engine, which subsequently obstructed the pilot's view through the windshield and side window, preventing him from having an unobstructed view of the emergency landing area.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the climb after takeoff, between 3,500 and 4,000 feet, the pilot noticed the engine oil pressure decreasing and the oil temperature increasing. The pilot advised the controller that he was experiencing a problem, and he was provided radar vectors to the nearest airport. During vectors, the engine failed, and oil covered the windshield and pilot's side window. Unable to see the airport, the pilot completed a forced landing to an open field, where the airplane impacted the ground. The engine had accumulated about 440 hrs of flight time, since it was last overhauled (by the manufacturer). Investigation revealed that remanufactured connecting rods had been installed. Examination of the engine revealed four of the six connecting rod bearings had melted at the crankshaft, and fatigue cracks were found on the number four connecting rod and end cap. When the connecting rod end cap retaining nuts were removed, rings of moderate wear and fretting were found in the nut recesses where the nuts contacted the rods.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.