Piper PA-22-135 N3506A

Summary

On 19 April 1996 at about 23:30 local time, a Piper PA-22-135 registered N3506A was involved in an accident near Dover, Delaware, United States. 2 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

19 April 1996 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Dover, Delaware, United States

Coordinates

39.1492, -75.5103

Aircraft

Piper PA-22-135

Registration

N3506A

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

IAD96LA064

2 people were seriously injured.

the overhaul maintenance personnel's improper major overhaul procedure (improper torque on the engine block center through bolts), which resulted in an in flight loss of engine power. A related factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, as the airplane climbed through about 130 feet AGL, the engine lost power. He attempted to make an emergency landing in a nearby open field but struck a power line and nosed over, coming to rest inverted in the field. The pilot stated that the terrain surrounding the airfield contained obstacles and power lines. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the center main crankshaft bearing had spun. Examination of the mating surfaces around the bolt holes, and on both halves of the engine block center main bearing caps revealed evidence of fretting. The engine manufacturer stated that improper torque of the main bearing through bolts would result in fretting. Maintenance records indicate that the engine was overhauled in March 1989, and had accumulated 105 hours at its most recent annual inspection on 8/21/95.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.