# NTSB CHI78FA064: Piper PA-31, N26AN, Savoy, IL, September 9, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 9, 1978
- Place: Savoy, IL · SAVOY, IL
- Location: 40.0591° N, 88.2545° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Savoy, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0591&lon=-88.2545&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI78FA064
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FA064

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4341   78/9/9    SAVOY,IL            PIPER PA-31         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 29, 1502
        TIME - 1826                    N26AN               PX-  5  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 49 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WILLARD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAVOY,IL                    CLEVELAND,OH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL: SPIRAL                                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: MASTER AND CONNECTING RODS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - MISCELLANEOUS-PERSONNEL: OTHER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- CONNECTING ROD BOLT OR NUT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.PLTS FAA CHECK FLT NOT COMPLETE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26AN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26AN-1982-05-04), registration cancelled 1982-05-04, S/N 31-57, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Willard

## 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 19780909043449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780909043449A), Sep 9, 1978: Piper PA31, Savoy, IL, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Connecting rod bolt or nut failure for undetermined reasons. Plts check flt not complete.

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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