# NTSB CHI94LA256: Piper PA-28-200, N32736, Fort Wayne, IN, July 31, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1994, 09:16 local (14:16 UTC)
- Place: Fort Wayne, IN
- Location: 41.1306° N, 85.1289° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Wayne, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1306&lon=-85.1289&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9618
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9618/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA256

## Probable cause

the loss of engine power due to the failure of the number one cylinder.

## 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
  - engine assembly,cylinder - fractured (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

While in cruise flight, the private pilot heard a loud bang and the airplane then lost all engine power.  The pilot immediately made a 180 degree turn in an attempt to make an emergency landing at the nearest airport, but he was not able to maintain enough altitude to reach the runway.  The airplane impacted trees and came to rest in a vertical position.  Postaccident examination revealed the number one cylinder head had fractured.

## Factual narrative

On July 31, 1994, at 0916 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28, N32736, was destroyed following a complete loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing in a wooded area near Fort Wayne, Indiana.  The private pilot reported no injuries, the one passenger reported minor injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight originated in Huntington, Indiana, on a VFR flight plan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot's statement, he was approximately five miles northeast of Fort Wayne Airport when he heard a loud bang and the airplane then lost all engine power.  He immediately made a 180 degree turn in an attempt to make an emergency landing at Fort Wayne Airport.  The pilot was unable to maintain enough altitude to safely make it to the runway.  The airplane impacted trees and came to rest in a vertical position.

Postaccident examination revealed the number one cylinder head had fractured.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32736](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32736-1995-01-23), registration cancelled 1995-01-23, S/N 28R7535083 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7535083
- Airframe hours: 1448
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert C. Randol
- Registered owner: Robert C. Randol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1994, 13 hours before
- Departed: HHG, HUNTINGTON, IL
- Destination: NONE, WAUSEON, OH
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,503 total, 590 in this make and model, 1,354 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19940731019689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940731019689A), Jul 31, 1994: Piper PA28R200, Fort Wayne, IN, Destroyed. Loud bang. Lost power. Unable make airport. Struck trees on forced landing. NR1 cylinder head fractured.

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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