# NTSB FTW84LA003: Piper PA-28R-201T, N2541Q, Smithville, TX, October 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1983, 22:30 local (Oct 2, 1983, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Smithville, TX
- Coordinates: 29.999082, -97.150436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9991&lon=-97.1504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21168
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21168/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA003

## 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 - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - fatigue (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear down and locked - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE AT 8,500 FT MSL THE ENG QUIT. A NIGHT EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE AT AN ARPT THAT THE ACFT HAD JUST FLOWN OVER. ON FINAL APPROACH THE PLT COULD NOT SEE THRU THE WINDSHIELD VERY WELL DUE TO OIL BUILDING UP ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE PLT HELD THE GEAR UP UNTIL A LANDING ON THE RWY WAS ASSURED. AFTER CROSSING A ROAD IN FRONT OF THE RWY THE PLT STARTED THE GEAR DOWN. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR & NOSE GEAR TO LOCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 366 FT BEYOND THE THRESHOLD. ENG TEARDOWN & METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE #4 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE. SEM VIEWING OF THE ORIGIN AREA REVEALED A SINGLE FATIGUE INITIATION SITE AT A CHANGE IN CONTOUR ON THE FLANGE END. THE IRREGULAR CONTOUR WAS NOT FOUND AT THE OTHER 3 FLANGE ENDS. ALSO, OXIDE INCLUSIONS & FORGING DEFECTS WERE FOUND ALONG THE ORIGINAL ROD SURFACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2541Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2541Q-2007-03-21), registration cancelled 2007-03-21, S/N 28R-7703067, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R770367
- Airframe hours: 2103
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-F 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: W. W. Stevenson, Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 2, 1983, 103 hours before
- Departed: BBD, BRADY, TX
- Destination: 89R, SPRING, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 84R, Smithville Muni, runway 17, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 67 total, 41 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: AUS, 40 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 19831001056939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831001056939A), Oct 1, 1983: Piper PA28R201T, Smithville, TX, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing when engine failed because of connecting rod failure. Nr 4 rod failure.

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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