Piper PA-32R-300 N424TP

Summary

On 22 May 2000 at about 23:00 local time, a Piper PA-32R-300 registered N424TP, operated by Brian J. Inskeep, was involved in an incident near Erie, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 May 2000 at 23:00

Classification

Incident

Location

Erie, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

40.0200, -105.0409

Aircraft

Piper PA-32R-300

Registration

N424TP

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Brian J. Inskeep

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Broomfield → Saint Joseph

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN00IA093

Nobody was injured.

Improper installation of cylinders by unknown maintenance personnel who failed to torque the cylinder stud nuts sufficiently.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During climb to cruise, on an IFR flight plan, in visual conditions, the engine lost all power approximately 10 minutes after takeoff. A forced landing was made in an open field and no damage was incurred during the landing. Examination of the engine provided evidence the number 2 cylinder had separated from the case and had lodged in the cowl. Detailed examination provided evidence that the cylinder hold down studs had failed and were 'necked-down' at the fracture points. The rod bolts then failed and the piston reversed itself and lodged in the case. No signatures of oil starvation or heat distress were found. Examination at an engine overhaul facility provided evidence that none of the hold down stud nuts on the remaining five cylinders had sufficient torque.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.