# NTSB CHI74FEM38: Piper PA-32, N3911W, Pellston, MI, February 5, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 5, 1974
- Place: Pellston, MI · PELLSTON, MI
- Location: 45.5516° N, 84.7834° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pellston, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5516&lon=-84.7834&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 10, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 187031
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI74FEM38
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74FEM38

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0296   74/2/5    PELLSTON,MICH       PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 46, 821
        TIME - 1040                    N3911W              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 740 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - EMMET COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PELLSTON,MICH               KOKOMO,IND
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LACK OF LUBRICATION-SPECIFIC PART,NOT SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - TEMPERATURE TOO LOW
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: MASTER AND CONNECTING RODS
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - SNOW-COVERED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  SUSPECTED MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY
        REMARKS- PILOT DID NOT PREHEAT OIL SUFFICIENTLY PRIOR TO FLIGHT.NR CON ROD FAILED IN BEARING AREA.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3911W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3911W-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 32-918, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Emmet County

## 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 19740205005119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740205005119A), Feb 5, 1974: Piper PA32260, Pellston, MI, Substantial damage. Pilot did not preheat oil sufficiently prior to flight. Nr con rod failed in bearing area.

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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