# Incident 20160614015349I: Aero Commander 100-180, Port Lavaca, TX, June 14, 2016

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 14, 2016, 09:30 local time
- Place: Port Lavaca, TX
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.6597° N, 96.4353° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6597&lon=-96.4353&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3718X, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3718X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aero Commander 100-180 (registry code 0140208, https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100-180) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 100-180
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 4,000 total, 446 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN16LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA249) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160614015349I

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRCRAFT DEPARTED CALHOUN COUNTY AIRPORT (KPKV) ON AN EASTERLY HEADING FOR A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT. IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 1100 AGL, 2300 RPM AND MIXTURE FULL RICH, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN VIGOROUS VIBRATION; CAUSING THE PROPELLER SPINNER TO SEPARATE FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THEN A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE AREA WITH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. PILOT SCANNED INSTRUMENTS AND NOTED THE OIL PRESSURE AND RPM WERE DROPPING, THEN ANOTHER BANG WAS HEARD AND THE PROPELLER STOPPED TURNING. PILOT THEN CONDUCTED AND EMERGENCY LANDING, IN A FARM FIELD RESULTING IN  MINOR DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE REVEALED AN APPROXIMATE ONE INCH HOLE/RUPTURE OF THE CRANKCASE LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER. AT THE BASE OF THE CYLINDER THERE WERE NUMEROUS CRACKS IN THE CRANKCASE.

MAINTENANCE RECORDS INDICATE THE LAST OVERHAUL WAS SIGNED OFF BY AN A&P MECHANIC HOLDING AN INSPECTOR AUTHORIZATION (IA) MORE THAN 24 YEARS FROM DATE OF FAILURE. THE AIRCRAFT FLEW APPROXIMATELY 710 HOURS DURING THAT TIME FRAME, WHERE THE LAST OWNER SAID HE APPROXIMATELY FLEW 450 HOURS IN THE LAST 9 YEARS 7 MONTHS. NO LOG ENTRIES OF PROPER AIRCRAFT STORAGE OR OTHER SPECIAL INSPECTION CONCERNING CORROSION / NON-OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT FOR EXTENSIVE PERIODS OF TIME.

IN SUPPORT OF NTSB REQUEST, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016, REMOVED NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER FROM ENGINE. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWS THAT THE PISTON CONNECTING ROD FAILED IN THE AREA OF THE ROD CAP. SHIPPED CYLINDER ASSY. TO NTSB FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. FAA FORM 8020-2 WAS FILLED OUT AND A COPY WAS RETAINED BY THE OWNER. OTHER COPY FORWARDED TO NTSB. SW17 OFFICE HAS ORIGINAL COPY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN16LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA249), Jun 14, 2016: Aero Commander 100 180 (N3718X), Port Lavaca, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of engine power due to failure of a connecting rod.

## Other reports on N3718X (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19931212052609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931212052609A), Dec 12, 1993: Slinds 100180 (N3718X), El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Encountered severe turbulence crossing a ridge line. Diverted to elp. Had cracked windshield. Buckled wing ribs.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft 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. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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