# NTSB CHI86FEX06: Piper PA-32-260, N4804S, Henryville, IN, March 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1986, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Henryville, IN
- Coordinates: 38.549232, -85.779663 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5492&lon=-85.7797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 5 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13348
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FEX06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13348/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEX06

## 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,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING THE ACFT OFF AT 9000 FT MSL, THE PLT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE AND WAS FURTHER DAMAGED DURING THE FORCED LANDING ROLL. METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED DUE TO HIGH CYCLE, LOW STRESS FATIGUE CRACKING WHICH INITIATED FROM A SUBSURFACE ORIGIN AREA. THE CAMSHAFT WAS ALSO FOUND FAILED, BUT THIS WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE OCCURRED FOLLOWING THE CRANKSHAFT FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4804S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-1189
- Airframe hours: 2367
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert J. Parrot
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1985, 31 hours before
- Departed: SMD, FT. WAYNE, IN
- Destination: CSG, COLUMBUS, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 150 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19860328010929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860328010929A), Mar 28, 1986: Piper PA32260, Henryville, IN, Destroyed. Collided with trees during forced landing after engine failed. Found broken crankshaft. Burned points on right mag.

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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