Piper PA-32RT-300T N19TL

Summary

On 21 October 2004 at about 20:03 local time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T registered N19TL, operated by Robert Thomas Webb, was involved in an accident near Guntersville, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 October 2004 at 20:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Guntersville, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

34.4000, -86.2764

Aircraft

Piper PA-32RT-300T

Registration

N19TL

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Robert Thomas Webb

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gallatin → Destin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL05LA007

1 person was seriously injured.

Total loss of engine power due to engine oil contamination, engine oil starvation, and multiple connecting rod bearing failures.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise flight the engine lost power, the pilot declared an emergency and decided to make a forced landing in a nearby field. While maneuvering for the emergency landing the airplane collided with a tree short of the intended landing area, fell to the ground, and burst into flames. Examination of the engine found no measurable quantity of oil remained in the sump, only residual oil remained, which was dark black in color. The crankcase was breached, and large holes in the crankcase were observed above the #2 and #6 cylinders. The internal components of the valve train were examined and widespread spalling of the tappet bodies was noted. Severe wear of the camshaft was also noted. Four of the nine cam lobes exhibited severe wear. The crankshaft main bearings exhibited dirt and particle embedment from metal particles contaminating the oil supply. According to a Service letter issued by Lycoming; Service Letter No. SL206A, dated May 5, 1985 which addresses the subject of field reconditioned tappet bodies, SL206A states that field reconditioned tappet bodies often leads to camshaft and tappet body problems in a very short time, thereby necessitating their removal and replacement. Severe wear or spalling of the cam lobes and tappet bodies can result in metal particles contaminating the oil supply.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.