# NTSB ATL87LA089: Piper PA-28R-200, N2948R, Darien, GA, March 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1987, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Darien, GA
- Coordinates: 31.369256, -81.419281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3693&lon=-81.4193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7390
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7390/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA089

## 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,connecting rod - disconnected (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING NORMAL CRUISE FLIGHT AT 6,000' THE PLT REPORTED HEARING A LOUD BANG SIMULTANEOUS WITH A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT DECLARED MAYDAY AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN SMALL PINE TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED CYL.#2 CONNECTING ROD HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE CRANK SHAFT AND SUBSEQUENTLY PUNCTURED THE CRANKCASE. EXAMINATION OF THE CONNECTING ROD BOLTS INDICATED ONE BOLT FAILED DUE TO TENSILE OVERSTRESS. THE BOLTS HAD BEEN REPLACED AT OVERHAUL, 1,460 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2948R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2948R-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 28R-35342, built 1969 (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: 28R35342
- Airframe hours: 4157
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Robert Katz
- Registered owner: Micheal R. Katz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1987, 20 hours before
- Departed: CHS, CHARLESTON, SC
- Destination: COI, MERRITT ISLAND, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,906 total, 684 in this make and model, 1,679 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19870321007089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870321007089A), Mar 21, 1987: Piper PA28R200, Darien, GA, Destroyed. The engine lost power. The aircraft hit trees on landing. A connecting rod bolt failed in overstress.

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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