# NTSB IAD05LA077: Piper PA-25-260, N4754Y, Southampton, NJ, June 15, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 2005, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: Southampton, NJ - Coordinates: 39.886665, -74.68222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8867&lon=-74.6822&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-17 - NTSB case key (mKey): 61724 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61724/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA077 ## Probable cause A lack of lubrication for undetermined reasons which resulted in the failure of the Nos. 4 and 5 connecting rods, and a subsequent total loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the furrowed cornfield. ## 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, maneuvering - aerial application - lubricating system - starvation/exhaustion (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, emergency landing ## Analysis While applying liquid fungicide to a cranberry bog the airplane passed over a road at 800 feet msl, the pilot heard a "loud bang," quickly followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot then maneuvered to place the airplane in a position for a forced landing. After dumping his load of fungicide and clearing some trees, the airplane touched down in a furrowed cornfield and was substantially damaged. An examination of the engine revealed internal damage including galling of a bearing and crankshaft bearing surface. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector the galling was indicative of a "lack of lubrication," however; no mechanical malfunction, leak, or blockage of the lubrication system was reported by the inspector. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 2005, at 0800 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-260, N4754Y, operated by Wings Aerial Applicators, LLC. was substantially damaged during a forced landing while maneuvering near Southampton, New Jersey. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. According to the pilot, he departed the Pemberton Airport (3N7), Pemberton, New Jersey at approximately 0725 hours for his second flight of the day. While applying liquid fungicide to a cranberry bog he passed over a road at 800 feet msl, and heard a "loud bang," quickly followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot executed a 180-degree turn and maneuvered to align the airplane with the wind and a cornfield. He then dumped the 110-gallon, "dilute" load of fungicide and water over a field of sorghum. After clearing some trees, the airplane touched down firmly in a deeply furrowed cornfield with a steep uphill slope. The airplane then rolled out about 50 feet, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest in an upright position. A visual examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, revealed an approximately 8-inch by 12-inch hole in the engine case, above the No. 4 cylinder in the area of the valve lifters. Further examination also revealed that the external damage extended down from the upper mating surfaces of the engine case to the top of the cylinder mounting pad. Internal examination of the engine revealed that the No. 1 cylinder connecting rod and bearings exhibited galling of the bearing, and crankshaft bearing surfaces. The No. 3 cylinder barrel skirt was damaged and exhibited indentations and local plastic yielding in several locations. Both the Nos. 4 and 5 cylinder connecting rods were broken and the Nos. 1, 2, and 4 cylinder connecting rod end caps, exhibited signs of heat stress. According to an FAA inspector, excessive galling of the bearing and crankshaft bearing surfaces were indicative of a "lack of lubrication," however; no mechanical malfunction, leak, or blockage of the lubrication system was reported by the inspector. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4754Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4754Y-2007-06-06), registration cancelled 2007-06-06, S/N 25-4508, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-4508 - Airframe hours: 4201 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-G1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Wings Aerial Applicators LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2005, 50 hours before - Departed: 3N7, Pemberton, NJ - Destination: 3N7 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2005; seat: single; flight hours: 10,840 total, 851 in this make and model, 3,394 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: WRI, 21 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 20050615018869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050615018869A), Jun 15, 2005: Piper PA25260, Southhampton, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) At approx. 800 AGL pilot heard a loud bang and experienced total loss of power. Maneuvered for corn field and dumped contents of hopper at approx. 500… 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.