20130705012289A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Piper PA 46-350P · Nappanee, IN · July 5, 2013

Date: July 5, 2013 · 12:30 local
Place: Nappanee, IN
Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N502EU
NTSB investigation: NTSBCEN13LA397
Reported as: Piper PA 46-350P
Reported engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 0
Other injuries: 0

N502EURegistered now · Piper PA 46-350PS/N 4622182 · Built 1995 Airframe modelPiper PA 46-350P Engine modelLycoming TIO-540-AE2AReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

Just after level off at 8000 feet pilot reported loud banging noises from engine compartment followed by loss of engine power. Off airport landing made in field. Engine being investigated for possible internal component failure.

As the FAA filed it

JUST AFTER LEVEL OFF AT 8000 FEET PILOT REPORTED LOUD BANGING NOISES FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. OFF AIRPORT LANDING MADE IN FIELD. ENGINE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR POSSIBLE INTERNAL COMPONENT FAILURE.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB CEN13LA397Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNappanee, INThe failure of the No. 6 piston due to detonation and the subsequent interruption of the engine oil flow that resulted from the piston fragments.Jul 5, 2013 · Substantial damage