# NTSB ATL84IA135: Piper PA-28R-200, N4999S, Clayton, NC, March 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1984, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Clayton, NC
- Coordinates: 35.639698, -78.450027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6397&lon=-78.4500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84IA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84IA135

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - previous damage (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE PLT & A PASSENGER NOTED A LOSS OF ENG POWER ACCOMPANIED BY A METALLIC SOUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, A WHEELS-UP FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A PLOWED FIELD. AN ENG  TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT, P/N 54297-1, HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THAT THE FATIGUE CRACK ORIGINATED AT A MACHINE GROOVE NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH OVERHAUL OF THE CRANKSHAFT. THE CRANKSHAFT HAD 130 FLT HRS SINCE IT HAD BEEN RECONDITIONED BY AN FAA APPROVED REPAIR STATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4999S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4999S), registered now, S/N 28R-35724, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-35724
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Carolina Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1983, 36 hours before
- Departed: W40, MT. OLIVE, NC
- Destination: RDU, RALEIGH, NC
- Airport: Johnston Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,430 total, 1,061 in this make and model, 151 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19840330053669I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840330053669I), Mar 30, 1984: Piper PA28R200, Clayton, NC, Minor damage. Engine failure at altitude. Landed in plowed field. Crankshaft broke from fatigue cracks, loose bolts.

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.

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