# NTSB CHI84LA359: Piper PA-32-260, N5541J, Woodstock, IL, August 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1984, 05:30 local (10:30 UTC)
- Place: Woodstock, IL
- Coordinates: 42.31055, -88.429328 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3105&lon=-88.4293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA359
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12749/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA359

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - overtemperature (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE WX WAS VMC & NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN A FARM FIELD THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF AND THE NOSE GEAR BENT. THE LEFT WING WAS ALSO SUBSTANTIALLYDAMAGED. THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT & THE OIL FILTER WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN FINE CHIPS OF ALUMINUM. THE OIL PUMP APPEARED TO BE OPERABLE. ALL SIX CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS WERE HEAT SCORCHED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF 3000 FT MSL THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. HE SAID HE HEADED BACK TO ARPT OF ORIGIN BUT EN ROUTE THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5541J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5541J-1991-10-24), registration cancelled 1991-10-24, S/N 321004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-1004
- Airframe hours: 4397
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph Penar
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 22, 1984, 76 hours before
- Departed: 3CK, CRYSTAL LAKE, IL
- Destination: YAG, FORT FRANCES
- Airport: 3CK, Lake-In-The-Hills

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 12,000 total, 310 in this make and model, 11,350 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 26 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 19840824043469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840824043469A), Aug 24, 1984: Piper PA32260, Woodstock, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff, landed in field. Aluminum chips in oil filter, connecting rod bearings heat scorched

## Other investigations on N5541J (2)

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 MKC77FER80](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77FER80), Aug 31, 1977: Piper PA-32 (N5541J), Duluth, MN, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW77FPG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FPG02), Oct 15, 1976: Piper PA-32 (N5541J), Mountain Home, AR, substantial damage

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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