# NTSB CHI03LA187: Piper PA-24, N6315P, Winamac, IN, July 2, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 2003, 10:08 local (15:08 UTC) - Place: Winamac, IN - Coordinates: 41.093334, -86.655555 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0933&lon=-86.6556&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA- South Bend FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57378 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57378/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA187 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to the improper installation of the crankshaft gear due to the omission of the retaining bolt and subsequent shear failure of the anti-rotation pin. The unsuitable terrain encountered, and the rough field were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - engine assembly,timing gear - not secured (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - engine assembly,other - sheared (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was damaged during a forced landing in a rough plowed field following a loss of engine power during cruise flight. Examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft gear retaining bolt was missing and the gear's anti-rotation pin was sheared. The oil pan of the engine was examined and no bolt was found. The crankshaft gear retaining bolt was not found within the engine. A review of the maintenance records revealed that the engine was last overhauled on April 6, 1986, and had accumulated 522 hours time in service since the overhaul. No subsequent logbook entries were noted that indicated removal of the crankshaft gear or retaining bolt. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 2003, at 1008 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24, N6315P, piloted by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power near Winamac, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and his four passengers reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating on an IFR flight plan. The flight departed from Plymouth, Michigan, at 0819, with an intended destination of Perryville, Missouri. The airplane's engine stopped producing power during cruise flight. The pilot was given radar vectors to the Arens Field Airport (RWN), Winamac, Indiana. The pilot was not able to reach RWN and executed a forced landing in a rough plowed field. A postaccident examination was conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration. During the initial examination of the airplane's engine, valve train continuity could not be established. Rotation of the crankshaft produced no movement of the valve train components. A subsequent examination of the accessory section of the engine revealed that the crankshaft gear retaining bolt was missing and the gear's anti-rotation pin was sheared. The oil pan of the engine was examined and no bolt was found. The crankshaft gear retaining bolt was not found within the engine. A review of the maintenance records revealed that the engine was last overhauled on April 6, 1986, and had accumulated 522 hours time in service since the overhaul. No subsequent logbook entries were noted that indicated removal of the crankshaft gear or retaining bolt. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6315P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6315P-2015-04-27), registration cancelled 2015-04-27, S/N 24-1425, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1425 - Airframe hours: 3552 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 2002, 121 hours before - Departed: 1D2, PLYMOUTH, MI - Destination: K02, Perryville, MO - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 26, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 2,895 total, 56 in this make and model, 2,492 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: VPZ, 28 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 20030702028889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030702028889A), Jul 2, 2003: Piper PA24, Winamac, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) Acft en route to K02 at 8000FT. Aircraft was handed off to zau. After hand off pilot called zau and advised zau that the engine had quit. Zau vectored… 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.