# NTSB ERA22LA172: Piper PA-28, N5067W, Melbourne, FL, March 29, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 29, 2022, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Melbourne, FL - Coordinates: 28.142326, -80.657656 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1423&lon=-80.6577&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Lycoming Engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 104857 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104857/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104857 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA172 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the failure of the No. 3 crankshaft journal bearing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=7102801), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102801), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Engine shutdown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140); cases with it: [Piper PA-28, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md?model=7102801), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102801), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102801), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/mechanic was hired to perform a pre-buy inspection of the airplane and then fly it cross-county to the new owner. During the inspection, he noted that the cylinders had been replaced and was told by the seller that the break-in for the new cylinders was not completed. The pilot stated that he “knew that it was going to be a risky flight home,” but decided to proceed with the flight. Observing no anomalies, he departed on course, and about 45 minutes into the flight, he noticed that the engine was running rough and the oil pressure was low. He notified air traffic control and turned back to the nearest airport to land. The engine continued to run rough, so he shut the engine down and thought he could glide to the runway. Once he realized that the airplane would not reach the runway, he maneuvered to land in a parking lot, during which the airplane impacted telephone wires and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 crankshaft journal bearing was pitted and smeared, and that two of the engine’s connecting rods had fractured. The condition of the bearing likely blocked the passage of oil through the engine, resulting in oil starvation that would have led to increased heat and ultimately the observed connecting rod failure. ## Factual narrative On March 29, 2022, at 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28, N5067W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB), Melbourne, Florida. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The pilot reported that he was hired to perform a pre-buy inspection of the airplane, then fly it to New Jersey to the new owner. He and his friend arrived a few days before the accident flight and he performed a pre-buy inspection. He noted that the cylinders had been replaced and was told by the seller that the break-in for the new cylinders was not completed. The pilot further stated that he “knew that it was going to be a risky flight home,” but decided to proceed. On the day of the accident, he took off and circled the airport several times and climbed the airplane to 7,000 ft mean sea level. He stated that everything looked and ran well, so he decided to proceed to New Jersey. About 20 miles northwest of MLB, he noticed that the engine was running rough and the oil pressure was low. He notified air traffic control and turned back to MLB to land. The roughness increased and the engine started vibrating, so he reduced the power to 1,500 rpm. The engine continued to run rough, so he shut the engine down and thought he could glide to runway 9R at MLB. Once he realized that the airplane would not make the runway, he maneuvered for landing in a parking lot. The pilot could not recall much after that point, but thought that the airplane may have collided with a telephone pole. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane impacted telephone wires and came to rest inverted in a parking lot. Both wings sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft would rotate approximately 90° before it came to a hard stop with a metal “clunk” sound. Cylinder Nos. 2 and 3 were removed for an internal examination of the engine, which revealed fractured connecting rods on each cylinder. The No. 2 connecting rod was found fractured with its bottom cap heavily damaged and flat in shape, laying below the engine crankshaft along with its corresponding bearings. The No. 3 connecting rod was found fractured similar to the No. 2, but both the connecting rod end and crankshaft journal exhibited a dark color, and remnants of its bearing were dark and smeared on the connecting rod end and cap. The No. 3 crankshaft journal was found pitted and displayed coloration consistent with presence of corrosion and smeared bearing material. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5067W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5067W), registered now, S/N 28-76, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28) (registry code 7102801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-76 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 2762 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2021 - Departed: 00FL, Okeechobee, FL - Destination: LBT, Lumberton, NC - Airport: MLB, Melbourne Orlando International, runway 9R, 10,181 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 2, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 422 total, 243 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KMLB, 3 nm away - METAR: KMLB 291853Z 05009KT 10SM CLR 26/16 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP206 T02560161 ## 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 20220329004439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220329004439A), Mar 29, 2022: Piper PA-28, Melbourne, FL, Destroyed. On 03/29/2022 at 1530 EST N5067W was conducting a VFR cross country flight from kobe to klbt when 14 miles northwest of Melbourne, FL the pilot observed no oil… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104857. 8.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13877425&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13876840&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13877220&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=maintenance%20records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 237 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13908352&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20Report-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 5, PDF, 7 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13877037&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photo%27s-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13877435&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N5067W%20Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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.