# NTSB CHI90LA076: Piper PA28-180, N5236L, South Webster, OH, February 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1990, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: South Webster, OH
- Coordinates: 38.8097, -82.719711 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8097&lon=-82.7197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA076

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE FAILURE. SOFT TERRAIN IN THE FORCED LANDING AREA IS A FACTOR.

## 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 cap - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE DURING A PERSONAL FLIGHT. IT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN ALL THREE LANDING GEAR FAILED DURING AN OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING TO A GRASSY SOFT FIELD. THE PRIVATE CERTIFICATED PILOT AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED A SIX INCH DIAMETER HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE ENGINE CRANKCASE AND A MATERIAL FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 2 CONNECTING ROD ASSEMBLY AND CONNECTING ROD BOLTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5236L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5236L-1992-10-23), registration cancelled 1992-10-23, S/N 284530 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4530
- Airframe hours: 3926
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pmh Flyers Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1989, 92 hours before
- Departed: PMH, PORTSMOUTH, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 131 total, 60 in this make and model, 96 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19900206002299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900206002299A), Feb 6, 1990: Piper PA28180, South Webster, OH, Substantial damage. Engine threw a connecting rod through engine case. Collapsed gear on forced landing. Rod bolts on NR2 rod failed.

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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