# NTSB ATL89LA110: Piper PA-32-260, N390G, Kershaw, SC, March 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1989, 22:45 local (Mar 21, 1989, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Kershaw, SC
- Coordinates: 34.539363, -80.580436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5394&lon=-80.5804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA110

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT DOWEL PIN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO FOLLOW THE APPLICABLE SERVICE BULLETIN AND DARKNESS.

## 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 - previous damage
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,timing gear - loose
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THE ENG ABRUPTLY LOST ALL POWER DURING CRUISE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A FORCED LNDG AT NIGHT & BOTH WINGS WERE TORN OFF. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR BOLT WAS LOOSE, AND THAT THE GEAR ALIGNMENT DOWL WAS SHEARED, WHICH HAD RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENG GEAR TRAIN CONTINUITY. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THE DOWEL PIN HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR'S MECHANIC, THE ENG HAD EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN STOPPAGE DUE TO A PROP STRIKE ABOUT 151 OPERATING HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN #465 OUTLINED MANDATORY INSPECTION, MODIFICATION, AND ASSY PROCEDURES FOR THE CRANK GEAR TO BE COMPLIED WITH DURING OVHL, AFTER A PROP STRIKE OR WHEN EVER GEAR TRAIN REPAIR IS REQUIRED. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THE BULLETIN WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH AFTER THE PROP STRIKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N390G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N390G-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 32-848, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-848
- Airframe hours: 4218
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Coastal Planes Airways
- Registered owner: Belson, Glenn A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 21, 1988, 50 hours before
- Departed: SOP, SOUTHERN PINES, NC
- Destination: RGD, THOMASTON, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; 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: 1,283 total, 125 in this make and model, 1,178 as pilot in command, 161 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °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 19890320004199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890320004199A), Mar 20, 1989: Piper PA32260, Kershaw, SC, Substantial damage. Crankshaft gear dowell pin sheared. Struck trees on forced landing. Gear not reworked after prior prop strike.

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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