# NTSB CHI89LA087: Piper PA-24-250, N7465P, Waunakee, WI, May 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1989, 09:13 local (14:13 UTC)
- Place: Waunakee, WI
- Coordinates: 42.56015, -89.880096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5602&lon=-89.8801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA087

## Probable cause

SLIPPAGE OF A BEARING, WHICH RESULTED IN BLOCKAGE OF THE LUBRICATION SYSTEM, AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF A CONNECTING ROD.

## 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
  - engine assembly,bearing - slipped (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil port/passage,internal - blocked(total) (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - wheels up landing

## Analysis

AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING FROM TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTICED AN UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE & OIL PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS.  WHEN HE REALIZED THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT REACH THE AIRPORT, HE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE & MADE A WHEELS UP LANDING IN A NEWLY PLANTED CORN FIELD.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF OIL STARVATION OF THE #4 ROD BEARING, THE #5 ROD BEARING & THE MAIN BEARING, THEN SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE #5 ROD.  THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE OCCURRENCE WAS INITIATED BY SLIPPAGE OF A BEARING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7465P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7465P-1991-02-13), registration cancelled 1991-02-13, S/N 242655 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2655
- Airframe hours: 3725
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carlton Hollnagel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 28, 1988, 375 hours before
- Departed: WI06, WAUNAKEE, IL
- Destination: C09, MORRIS, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,300 total, 2,600 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 6 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 19890514013989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890514013989A), May 14, 1989: Piper PA24250, Waunakee, WI, Substantial damage. Engine noise on takeoff. Began return,lost oil pressure and seized. Crash landed. Rod bearing rotrated in web.

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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