# NTSB ATL91LA007: Piper PA-24-250, N5506P, Savannah, GA, October 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1990, 15:26 local (19:26 UTC)
- Place: Savannah, GA
- Coordinates: 32.020679, -80.990882 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0207&lon=-80.9909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8351
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8351/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA007

## Probable cause

TOTAL FAILURE OF A CONNECTING ROD CAP BOLT WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.

## 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 bolt - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, AT ABOUT 2000 FEET, THE ENGINE QUIT WITH A BANG. OIL COVERED THE WINDSCREEN. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING INTO A SWAMPY, MARSHY AREA, WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY A MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE NO. 5 & 6 CONNECTING RODS HAD SEPARATED. THE DAMAGE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE RESULT OF A ROD CAP BOLT FAILURE. THE ENGINE HAD 1851 TOTAL HOURS. A TOP OVERHAUL WAS COMPLETED ABOUT 875 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5506P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5506P-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 24-569, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-369
- Airframe hours: 1891
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cottle, C. R.  Jr.
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1990
- Departed: RBW, WALTERBORO, SC
- Destination: SFB, SANFORD, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,500 total, 80 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV, 20 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 19901021047019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901021047019A), Oct 21, 1990: Piper PA24250, Savannah, GA, Substantial damage. Oil on windshield,smoke in cabin and power loss. Landed in a swamp. Two connecting rods broke. Engine near tbo.

## Other investigations on N5506P (1)

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 UNK64X3216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3216), Aug 4, 1964: Piper PA24 (N5506P), Astoria, OR, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.