Piper PA-28R-200 N2938R

Summary

On 23 April 2009 at about 19:00 local time, a Piper PA-28R-200 registered N2938R, operated by Garrison Chadrick, was involved in an accident near Hilliard, Florida, United States. 4 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 April 2009 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Hilliard, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Hilliard Airpark (01J)

Coordinates

30.6864, -81.9217

Aircraft

Piper PA-28R-200

Registration

N2938R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Garrison Chadrick

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chattanooga → Winter Haven

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA261

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the No. 3 cylinder attachment stud as a result of insufficient torque during installation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s operation of the airplane with a known mechanical deficiency.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Approximately 2 hours into the cross-country flight the pilot heard a loud noise from the engine compartment and the engine subsequently failed. The pilot performed a forced landing in a field and the empennage struck a tree, resulting in substantial airframe damage. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder partially separated in flight, resulting in the engine failure. An engine cylinder attachment stud and nut were found at the run-up pad at the departure airport. Examination of the stud revealed evidence of fatigue cracking, which was indicative of an under torque condition. Other cylinder attachment nuts on the engine showed evidence of under torquing. The pilot had recently purchased the airplane and the seller reported that an oil leak was noted during the "pre-buy" inspection. The mechanic who inspected the airplane at the pre-buy reported that two cylinders were leaking oil. The seller installed the cylinders as part of a major overhaul that occurred approximately 131 hours prior to the accident. The pilot did not have maintenance performed to address the cylinder oil leaks prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.