# NTSB ATL86LA083: Piper PA-28-181, N9153K, Hickory, NC, March 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1986, 07:37 local (12:37 UTC)
- Place: Hickory, NC
- Coordinates: 35.770225, -81.329963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7702&lon=-81.3300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA083

## 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, descent - emergency
  - engine assembly,cylinder - loose
  - maintenance,installation - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLT, PLT FELT ENG VIB AND DIVERTED TO NEAREST APRT. DURING THE DESCENT THE PLT HEARD AN EXPLOSION, SAW THE ENG COWL POP UP AND OIL COVERED THE WINDSCREEN. ESTABLISHED IN A GLIDE THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES THEN THE GROUND. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT CYL #2 HAD DEPARTED THE. FOUR OF THE EIGHT HOLD DOWN NUTS HAD BACKED COMPLETELY OFF OF THE STUDS. 3 STUDS WERE BROKEN AND 1 STUD PULLED OUT OF THE CRANKCASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9153K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9153K-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 28-7690223, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7690223
- Airframe hours: 3793
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Blue Horizon Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1985, 158 hours before
- Departed: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Destination: CRW, CHARLESTON, WV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HKY, Hickory Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,375 total, 473 in this make and model, 1,808 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Accident 19860302004599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860302004599A), Mar 2, 1986: Piper PA28181, Hickory, NC, Destroyed. Engine cylinder failed in flight. Mushed into trees on forced landing. Cylinder stud nuts mistorqued, studs failed.

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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