# NTSB CHI94LA121: Piper PA-32-300, N5251S, Ellsworth, NE, March 21, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 21, 1994, 12:05 local (19:05 UTC) - Place: Ellsworth, NE - Coordinates: 42.060909, -102.279792 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0609&lon=-102.2798&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 78-09-07 R3](https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-09-07-R3) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 9496 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9496/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA121 ## Probable cause the jammed impulse coupling on the left magneto which caused the crankshaft drive gear to shear from the crankshaft. ## 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 - ignition system,magneto - jammed (cause) - engine assembly,timing gear - sheared (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis While on a cross country flight at 10,000 feet msl, the airplane had a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success. A forced landing was made on a county road and the airplane ran into a ditch. During the engine examination it was found that the left magneto impulse coupling had jammed. The crankshaft drive gear was found to be sheared from the crankshaft. ## Factual narrative On March 21, 1994, at 1205 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-32- 300, N5251S, sustained substantial damage when it struck a ditch embankment during landing roll following a forced landing on a county highway near Ellsworth, Nebraska. The airplane had a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight at 10,000 feet msl. The commercial pilot and the four passengers aboard the airplane were not injured. The personal flight originated at Ainsworth, Nebraska, with an intended destination of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. An IFR flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The engine was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Inspector, and a Certificated Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic. They found the impulse coupling on the left magneto had failed and was jammed in the accessory gear train. The crankshaft drive gear was found to be sheared from the crankshaft. The maintenance records were examined, and show that Airworthiness Directive 78-09-07 R3, which pertains to inspection of the magneto impulse coupling, was complied with on January 19, 1994. The airframe had accumulated 10 flight hours since the inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5251S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5251S), registered now, S/N 32-40954, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-40954 - Airframe hours: 2450 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lynn Carlson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1993, 75 hours before - Departed: ANW, AINSWORTH, NE - Destination: SBS, STEAMBOAT SPGS, CO - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,718 total, 425 in this make and model, 6,556 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 21 knots, gusting 34 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AIA, 95 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 19940321006159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940321006159A), Mar 21, 1994: Piper PA32300, Ellsworth, NE, Substantial damage. Lost power. Struck ditch landing on road. Magneto impulse coupling broke. Jammed gear train. Sheared crankshaft gear ## Other investigations on N5251S (1) 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 CHI71FBJ27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FBJ27), Sep 7, 1970: Piper PA-32 (N5251S), Lansing, MI, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.