Piper PA-24-250 N8233P

Summary

On 10 June 2011 at about 18:32 local time, a Piper PA-24-250 registered N8233P, operated by Bendzlowicz Peter P III, was involved in an accident near Westbrook, Connecticut, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, 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

10 June 2011 at 18:32

Classification

Accident

Location

Westbrook, Connecticut, United States

Nearest airport

Chester Airport (SNC)

Coordinates

41.3386, -72.5081

Aircraft

Piper PA-24-250

Registration

N8233P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Bendzlowicz Peter P III

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Shirley → Chester

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11FA334

1 person died.

A total loss of engine power during approach due to inadequate torque on the No. 3 cylinder hold-down nuts.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During approach to the destination airport, the airplane experienced a loss of engine oil pressure followed by a total loss of engine power. The airplane subsequently impacted wooded terrain about 3 miles from the runway. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder had separated from the engine case, and its hold-down nuts were not recovered. The hold-down nuts for the adjacent No. 5 cylinder were loose and not adequately torqued to the extent that, had the engine continued to operate, the No. 5 cylinder would have separated. No other mechanical failures were noted with the engine. The Nos. 3 and 5 cylinders, which were newer than the other cylinders and were manufactured by a different company than the original engine manufacturer, were installed about 13 years prior to the accident. There was no record of any recent work performed on those cylinders, and the most recent annual inspection was completed 10 months prior to the accident. Based on the available evidence, the No. 3 cylinder separation was likely due to inadequate torquing of the cylinder hold-down nuts.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.