# NTSB BFO93LA010: Piper PA-28-151, N8431F, Willimantic, CT, November 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1992, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Willimantic, CT
- Location: 41.7440° N, 72.1802° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WINDHAM (IJD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7440&lon=-72.1802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA010

## Probable cause

A CRACKED NO. 2 ENGINE CYLINDER, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING THE FORCED LANDING, DUE TO EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVERRUN OF THE RUNWAY.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS AN IMPROPER WELD REPAIR ON THE NO. 2 CYLINDER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - object - fence
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - inoperative

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING TAKEOFF. PARTIAL POWER WAS AVAILABLE, SO HE ELECTED TO TURN 180 DEGREES AND PERFORM A DOWNWIND LANDING ON THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE FAR END OF THE RUNWAY AT '70 KNOTS' WITH A '10 MPH TAIL WIND' AND RAN OFF THE END. IT THEN ROLLED ONTO WET GRASS AND SLID INTO A FENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED A CRACK IN THE NO.2 CYLINDER HEAD NEAR A WELD REPAIR.  SOURCE OF THE WELD REPAIR WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8431F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8431F-1993-09-07), registration cancelled 1993-09-07, S/N 287715261 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287715261
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Windham Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Windham Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000
- Departed: IJD
- Destination: IJD
- Airport: IJD, Windham Airport, runway 18, 2,797 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 90 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °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 19921118049449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921118049449A), Nov 18, 1992: Piper PA28151, Willimantic, CT, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Made 180 but overshot downwind landing on runway 36.NR2 cylinder head cracked due bad weld

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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