# NTSB CHI02LA106: Piper PA-28-235, N9060W, Fulton, IN, March 31, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 2002, 16:55 local (21:55 UTC) - Place: Fulton, IN - Coordinates: 40.950027, -86.259437 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9500&lon=-86.2594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - South Bend FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54540 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54540/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54540 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA106 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to excessive clearance of the connecting rod bearing resulting in engine seizure. A related factor was the muddy field. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - engine assembly,connecting rod (cause) - engine assembly,bearing - clearance (cause) - lubricating system - low pressure (cause) - powerplant - seized (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - muddy (contributing factor) ## Analysis While in cruise flight there was a loss of oil pressure resulting in a loss of engine power and seizure of the engine crankshaft. The airplane was damaged during a forced landing into a muddy agricultural field. Post-accident investigation of the engine revealed the number 5 connecting rod bearing had excessive clearance. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 2002, at 1655 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-235, N9060W, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Fulton, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his three passengers did not report any injuries. The flight departed the Randolph County Airport, Winchester, Indiana, at 1600 and the intended destination was the Gary/Chicago Airport, Gary, Indiana. According to the pilot's written statement, while in cruise flight the constant speed propeller "surged" twice. The pilot reported, "Checked engine gages and noticed [zero] oil pressure." The pilot stated he was using flight following and requested a vector to the nearest airport, which was Fulton County Airport (RCR). The pilot stated he was unable to reach RCR, turned into the wind, and began to look for a field or road to land on. The pilot reported, "Engine began to 'clatter'. Had already reduced throttle to 1/2 and now reduced to idle." The pilot stated that between 500 and 600 feet above ground level (agl) the engine lost complete power. The pilot reported, "Altitude loss became excessive ([approximately] 1,600 feet per min) Pitched down steeply to recover maneuvering speed. Flew between trees in fencerow and landed in muddy corn field [approximately] 150 [feet] from fencerow. Slid sideways [approximately] 125 feet to stop." Post-accident investigation of the engine revealed the number 5 connecting rod bearing had excessive clearance. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9060W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9060W), registered now, S/N 28-10655, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10655 - Airframe hours: 2490 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fred Leonard Ruhe - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2001, 40 hours before - Departed: I22, Winchester, IN - Destination: GYY, Gary, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 30, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 3,150 total, 250 in this make and model, 2,575 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 12 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: GUS, 13 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 20020331010869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020331010869A), Mar 31, 2002: Piper PA28235, Fulton, IN, No damage. (-23) During cruise flight engine lost oil pressure and began to lose power, pilot executed an off airport emergency landing. (.19) on March 31, 2002, at 1655… ## Other investigations on N9060W (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 CHI66F0185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66F0185), Aug 18, 1965: Piper PA-28 (N9060W), Culver, IN, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 25, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54540. 489 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 454 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394895&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Interview (item 2, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394896&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-Redacted.PDF 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.