# NTSB CHI95LA042: Piper PA-28-180, N7556W, Carlock, IL, November 15, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 14, 1994, 18:20 local (Nov 15, 1994, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Carlock, IL - Coordinates: 40.610687, -89.199356 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6107&lon=-89.1994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9801 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9801/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA042 ## Probable cause The total failure of the connecting rod bolts. ## 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 bolt - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DURING LEVEL CRUISE FLIGHT. AN OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING WAS MADE, THE AIRPLANE ROLLED OUT INTO A TREE LINE AT THE END OF THE LANDING FIELD. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED FAILED NUMBER TWO CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD BOLTS AND A HOLE IN THE ENGINE'S CASE TOP NEAR THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER TAPPET POSITION. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OVERHAULED ABOUT 21 YEARS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. ## Factual narrative On November 14, 1994, at 1820 central standard time (cst), a Piper PA-28-180, N7556W, registered to Howard Samuelson of Orland Park, Illinois, and piloted by a commercially certificated flight instructor, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructor and student pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Peoria, Illinois, at 1800 CST. According to the student pilot and owner of the airplane, the airplane was in level cruise flight when the engine's oil pressure went to "0" indicated pressure. He said the instructor declared an emergency and landed in a soy bean field. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with trees that bordered the field's edge. The instructor's statement confirmed the student/owner's statement, adding that the engine ran for an unspecified time after the oil pressure went to "0." The on-scene investigation revealed that the engine's number two cylinder connecting rod bolts had failed. Connecting rod components forced a hole into the engine's case top near the number two cylinder tappet position. The connecting rod bolt that was retrieved had necked fracture ends. The surfaces of both fractures had a grainy appearance with many impact marks on them. The camshaft's number two cylinder intake lobe was round and had machining marks on its surface. Examination of the engine oil pump revealed its screen was contaminated with metal particles. The oil sump was contaminated with metal pieces that were similar to bearing parts. Approximately two quarts of oil was found in the sump. Examination of the airplane's powerplant logbook revealed the engine had been overhauled approximately 21 years before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7556W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7556W), registered now, S/N 28-1495, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1495 - Airframe hours: 3632 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Howard Samuelson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1994, 72 hours before - Departed: PIA, PEORIA, IL - Destination: IKK, KANKAKEE, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,600 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 240° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BMI ## 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 19941114038229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941114038229A), Nov 14, 1994: Piper PA28180, Carlock, IL, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. CFI landed in bean field. Struck trees. Rod bolts failed. Poked hole in case. 21 years since tbo 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.