Piper PA-46-310P N800SJ

Summary

On 27 December 1995 at about 03:45 local time, a Piper PA-46-310P registered N800SJ, operated by William E. Scott, was involved in an accident near Ocala, Florida, United States. 7 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 December 1995 at 03:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Ocala, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Ocala Regional/Jim Taylor (OCF)

Coordinates

29.2608, -82.1094

Aircraft

Piper PA-46-310P

Registration

N800SJ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

William E. Scott

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kissimmee → Birmingham

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

MIA96FA049

2 people were seriously injured.

oil starvation resulting in connecting rod failure in three of the six cylinders due to lack of lubrication. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot to adhere to a ATC vector toward the nearest airport following engine failure which resulted in the airplane flying past the vectored airport and subsequent collision with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise flight at 14,000 feet mean sea level, the engine failed. The flight was vectored to a nearby airport but the pilot flew toward another airport and crashed in a residential area. Examination of the engine revealed 1.8 quarts of oil were drained and 3 of the 6 connecting rods were failed due to lack of lubrication. Also, detonation damage to the No. 6 cylinder piston was noted and scoring of piston sidewalls was noted at 5 of the 6 cylinders. Evidence of heat discoloration was noted to the connecting rod journals for 3 of the 6 cylinders. The aircraft TIT gauge, which had been miscalibrated by 30 to 40 degrees when the airplane was manufactured, was found to indicate 110 degrees Fahrenheit low near the maximum continuous point of 1,750 degrees. The air/oil separator hose to the scavenge pump was plugged about 10 inches along its length with a substance with a high lead content resulting in the recurring pilot report of excessive oil consumption. Due to the pilot complaint of excessive oil consumption 4 of the 6 cylinders were removed and replaced within the previous 6 months. About 1 month before the accident one of the cylinder pistons was removed and replaced after examination revealed piston sidewall damage consistent with detonation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.