# NTSB CHI85FEX03: Piper PA-28-180, N7750N, Orleans, IN, June 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1985, 12:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Orleans, IN
- Coordinates: 38.659988, -86.449684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6600&lon=-86.4497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FEX03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12901/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FEX03

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE PLT NOTED THAT THE ENG RPM DROPPED FROM 2500 TO 2000. HE COULD NOT RESTORE THE RPM. HE THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENG COMPARTMENT & THE ENG SEIZED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERG LANDING IN A CORN FIELD. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE #3 ROD, PN 74502-S, WAS BROKEN, BENT & WEDGED BETWEEN THE #4 ROD & ENG CASE. THE #3 BEARING SURFACE ON THE CRANKSHAFT WAS GALLED & BOTH ROD BOLTS ON THE #3 CONNECTING ROD WERE BROKEN. ALSO, THE #2 & #4 CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS, PN 72218, HAD SPUN. METAL PARTICALS WERE FOUND THRU-OUT THE ENG. THERE WAS STILL 5-1/2 QTS OF OIL IN THE ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7750N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7750N-1985-12-13), registration cancelled 1985-12-13, S/N 28-5195 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5195
- Airframe hours: 1123
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Patrick Albano
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 1984, 90 hours before
- Departed: LUK, CINCINNATI, OH
- Destination: SUS, ST.LOUIS, MO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 297 total, 297 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 40 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 19850620026549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850620026549A), Jun 20, 1985: Piper PA28180, Orleans, IN, Substantial damage. Landed in corn field after loud noise and engine quit. Nr 3 connecting rod broken, metal thru engine.

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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