Piper PA-28-180 N9238J

Summary

On 13 June 2012 at about 14:15 local time, a Piper PA-28-180 registered N9238J, operated by Edward M. Butler II, was involved in an accident near Ocilla, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one 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

13 June 2012 at 14:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Ocilla, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

31.5725, -83.4425

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-180

Registration

N9238J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Edward M. Butler II

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Livingston → Clearwater

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12LA394

1 person had minor injuries.

A failure of the No. 2 cylinder connecting rod due to a lack of lubrication, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was flying the airplane under the conditions specified in a Special Flight Permit to reposition it for a potential sale. The airplane and engine were inspected by a certificated mechanic in accordance with the permit requirements before the flight. During cruise flight, the engine began to “sputter.” The pilot turned to find a landing field, then heard a loud noise, and the engine lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a cotton field; however, the landing gear collapsed in the soft soil and the airframe sustained substantial damage. Subsequent examination of the engine revealed puncture holes in the upper and lower sections of the engine case. The No. 2 cylinder connecting rod was separated from the crankshaft. The recovered parts of the crankshaft showed indications of heat distress and a lack of lubrication. The Nos. 3 and 4 cylinder connecting rods and rod bearings were still connected to the crankshaft; however their failure appeared imminent because of a severe lack of lubrication. All other crankshaft bearings appeared normal. The No. 1 cylinder connecting rod and bearing were normal in appearance with the exception of an overload fracture near the piston end. It is apparent that the No. 2 cylinder connecting rod end failed first due to a lack of lubrication, and the rotating and moving parts fractured the No. 1 cylinder connecting rod end, resulting in complete engine stoppage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.