Piper PA-32 N9164B

Summary

On 20 May 1996 at about 18:35 local time, a Piper PA-32 registered N9164B, operated by Roger C. Doerr, was involved in an accident near Jacksonville, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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.

Date

20 May 1996 at 18:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Craig Municipal (CRG)

Coordinates

30.3595, -81.5109

Aircraft

Piper PA-32

Registration

N9164B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Roger C. Doerr

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Verro Beach

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA96LA142

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (VSO) while maneuvering during a go-around, resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to achieve the proper touchdown point during an emergency landing, his decision to make a go-around with a known mechanical deficiency (partial loss of engine power) due to the improper installation of the piston plugs during assembly of the engine by the manufacturer.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot made an emergency landing to an airport after informing ATC that the engine had sustained a partial loss of engine power. Witnesses observed the airplane touch down extremely fast, long, and initiate a go-around. The airplane was observed in a nose high, climbing right turn, and a lack of airspeed. The nose dropped down, and the airplane collided with the trees and terrain in a nose down attitude. Disassembly of the engine revealed the piston plugs on the Nos.3 and 5 cylinders were installed on the forward sides of both pistons. This allowed the unprotected ends of the pins to rub against the cylinder walls. The remaining cylinder assemblies were correctly installed. Review of the engine logbook revealed the engine had not been disassembled since assembly by the manufacturer.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.