# NTSB FTW97LA141: Piper PA-17, N4802H, N Little Rock, AR, March 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 1997, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: N Little Rock, AR - Coordinates: 34.82983, -92.290138 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8298&lon=-92.2901&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20183 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20183/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA141 ## Probable cause loss of engine power due to failure of the crankshaft. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## 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,crankshaft - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis After takeoff, at about 1500 feet MSL, the engine 'developed roughness and knocking noises.' The engine quit developing power while the airplane was over a residential area. During a forced landing to an 'unfinished' road, the airplane's right wing impacted a small pine tree, which spun the airplane around. The left wing struck another tree before the airplane came to a stop. Both wings were damaged, and the lower rear longeron in the fuselage was bent. Examination of the engine by an FAA inspector revealed that the engine crankshaft had fractured 'between the throws for the #1 and #2 rods.' The camshaft was also 'broken in half by the #1 throw.' Time since the last engine overhaul was 108.7 hours. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 1997 at 1730 central standard time, a Piper PA-17, N4802H, registered to and operated by LR Air, Inc., was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during flight near North Little Rock, Arkansas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local flight which originated from the North Little Rock Municipal Airport at 1700. A flight plan was not filed. The pilot reported that, after takeoff from North Little Rock Airport, at about 1500 feet MSL, the engine "developed roughness and knocking noises." The engine quit developing power while the airplane was over a residential area. During the forced landing to an "unfinished" road, the airplane's right wing impacted a small pine tree, which spun the airplane around. The left wing struck another tree before the airplane came to a stop. Both wings were damaged, and the lower rear longeron in the fuselage was bent. Examination of the engine by the FAA inspector revealed that the engine crankshaft had fractured "between the throws for the #1 and #2 rods." The camshaft was also "broken in half by the #1 throw." The time since the last engine overhaul was 108.7 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4802H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4802H), registered now, S/N 17-100, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-17 - Registry model: [Piper PA-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-17) (registry code 7101702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17-118 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: L R Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1996 - Departed: 1M1, NO. LITTLE ROCK, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 171 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19970326003749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970326003749A), Mar 26, 1997: Piper PA17, Little Rock, AR, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine quit and crashed while trying to land on an unfinished road. (-23) engine began to run rough, vibrated, then stopped, forced landing on road… ## Other investigations on N4802H (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 CHI07CA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA251), Jul 20, 2007: Piper PA-17 (N4802H), Scribner, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the gusting crosswind condition. 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.