Aviation Crash Map

Piper PA-28R-201T N9343C

22 February 1992 · Ludlow, California, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 22 February 1992 at about 21:37 local time, a Piper PA-28R-201T registered N9343C, operated by Higgins, Melvin W & Jean, was involved in an accident near Ludlow, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 21:37
Classification
Accident
Location
Ludlow, California, United States
Coordinates
34.7209, -116.1502
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-201T
Registration
N9343C
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Higgins, Melvin W & Jean
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Lake Havasu Cit → Burbank
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
LAX92LA122

People

2 people had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
2 0 0 2 0

Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE REPAIR STATION TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM A TOP OVERHAUL AND COMPLY WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD DUE TO FATIGUE AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A CATASTROPHIC CONNECTING ROD FAILURE WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY LANDING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE NO. 5 CONNECTING ROD FAILED AT THE SMALL END DUE TO FATIGUE. THE FAILED CONNECTING ROD WAS A CORNEL FORGING 626119. THE LOGBOOK EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE NOS. 5 AND 6 CYLINDERS WERE REMOVED AND REPLACED ABOUT 10 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND THAT MAINTENANCE FACILITY FAILED TO COMPLY WITH CONTINENTAL SERVICE BULLETIN NO. M86-11, REV. 1. THIS SERVICE BULLETIN RECOMMENDS THAT WHEN THE CYLINDERS ARE REMOVED FOR ANY REASON THE CORNEL FORGING CONNECTING ROD 626119 SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A STRONGER CONNECTING ROD.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Piper PA-28R accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
2 Oct 1992 Piper PA-28R-200
N9242K
Akron, New York, United States Robert S. Gordy Serious injuries -
5 Mar 1992 Piper PA-28R-201T
N3768M
Brewer, Maine, United States
no coordinates
James A. Chalfin Serious injuries -
21 Mar 1992 Piper PA-28R
N9348N
Manville, New Jersey, United States
no coordinates
69 Arrow Inc No injuries -
20 Aug 1992 Piper PA-28R-200
N2662R
Oviedo, Florida, United States Francis Grady, Inc. No injuries -
12 Apr 1992 Piper PA-28R-200
N16540
Narrows, Virginia, United States Dragon Rider Corp Fatal 4
26 Dec 1992 Piper PA-28R-200
N5343T
Tarpon Springs, Florida, United States King, Russell S. Fatal 1

All 1,342 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
22 Feb 1992 Beechcraft C-23
N2169W
Fullerton, California, United States
no coordinates
Eldon R. Howe No injuries -
23 Feb 1992 Cessna 150
N126NK
San Jose, California, United States Veda Corporation Minor injuries -
23 Feb 1992 Cessna 182N
N8948G
San Ardo, California, United States Soil Service, Inc. No injuries -
25 Feb 1992 Grumman G-164B
N3633C
Dixon, California, United States Sunrise Duster, Inc. No injuries -
25 Feb 1992 Bellanca 7ECA
N4193Y
Apple Valley, California, United States Chester Waite Serious injuries -
26 Feb 1992 Piper PA-28-140
N595SP
Woodland, California, United States MR. Aircraft, Inc. No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States