# NTSB CHI84LA355: Piper PA-28R-200, N2841T, La Salle, IL, August 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1984, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: La Salle, IL
- Coordinates: 41.339878, -89.089523 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3399&lon=-89.0895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA355
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA355

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total
  - engine assembly,crankcase - undertorqued (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A CORN FIELD AFTER A POWER LOSS. THE PLT SAID THAT THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING ROUGH AT START-UP. AFTER LEANING AND A RUN-UP IT SMOOTHED OUT. TWENTY MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE STARTED VIBRATINGAND THE EGT WENT UP TO 1379 DEGREES. THE MIXTURE WAS ENRICHED AND THE EGT DROPPED TO 1349 DEGREES BUT THE VIBRATION INCREASED. THE PLT REDUCED POWER BUT #1 CYLINDER BLEW OFF AND PENETRATED THE COWLING. THE PILOT SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN ANDLANDED. INESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE CRANKCASE HALVES WERE NOT FASTENED TOGETHER SECURELY. THE HOLD DOWN NUTS ON #3 AND #4 CYLINDERS WERE TORQUED TO 35 FOOT LBS. THE REQUIRED PRESSURE IS 55 FOOT LBS. THIS ENGINE CRANKCASE WAS REPLACED AT 1137 HOURS. THE LAST OVERHAUL WAS AT 3969 HOURS. THE LAST ANNUAL WAS AT 4393 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2841T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7235143
- Airframe hours: 4468
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard P. Cummins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1984, 75 hours before
- Departed: CGX, CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: MLI, MOLINE, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 192 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command, 151 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 35 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 19840817041319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840817041319A), Aug 17, 1984: Piper PA28R200, La Salle, IL, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing due to engine failure. Crankcase halves were not fastened securely.

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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