# NTSB ATL86LA089: Piper PA-28R-200, N74HB, Hanceville, AL, March 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1986, 17:16 local (23:16 UTC)
- Place: Hanceville, AL
- Location: 34.0640° N, 86.7644° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hanceville, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0640&lon=-86.7644&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA089

## 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
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - overload (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE TO BIRMINGHAM THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE WHEN NO. 2 CYLINDER SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON INTERSTATE 65 NEAR HANCEVILLE, AL, AND THE AIRCRAFTCOLLIDED WITH AN EMBANKMENT ADJACENT TO THE SOUTHBOUND LANES. THE INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERE ENGINE VIBRATIONS TWICE WITHIN THE THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ON BOTH OCCURRENCES THE CYLINDERS WERE OVERHAULED AND THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO SERVICE. THE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WHO REPAIRED THE ENGINE STATED THAT HE DID NOT FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES AS OUTLINED IN THE ENGINE SERVICE MANUAL. THE FAILURE TO RETORQUE AND INSPECT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY CAUSED THE OTHER CYLINDERS STUDS TO LOOSEN AND EVENTUAL NO. 2 CYLINDER FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74HB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74HB-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 28R-7135080, built 1971 (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-7135080
- Airframe hours: 3765
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Condor Aero Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1986, 61 hours before
- Departed: HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Destination: BIRMINGHAM, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,044 total, 46 in this make and model, 1,480 as pilot in command, 330 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °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).

- [Accident 19860311008509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860311008509A), Mar 11, 1986: Piper PA28R200, Hanceville, AL, Substantial damage. Engine cylinder failed. Forced landing on highway. Mechanic did not check engine assembly after severe vibration.

## Other investigations on N74HB (2)

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 NYC81DHM08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81DHM08), May 27, 1981: Piper PA-28R (N74HB), La Grangeville, NY, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC80FNA21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FNA21), Aug 11, 1980: Piper PA-28R (N74HB), Edgartown, MA, substantial damage

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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