# NTSB LAX83FJA02: Piper PA-28-140, N56351, Honolulu, HI, November 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1982, 08:21 local (16:21 UTC)
- Place: Honolulu, HI
- Coordinates: 21.349584, -157.880065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3496&lon=-157.8801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FJA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FJA02

## 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 - undertorqued (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - loose (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - undertorqued (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ENG QUIT & THE PLT DITCHED IN THE OCEAN NEAR THE BEACH. THE #4 CONNECTING ROD SHANK WAS FOUND BROKEN AT THE CRANKPIN BEARING HOUSING. ONE ROD BOLT HEAD WAS BROKEN OFF & THE BOLT GRIP WAS NECKED DOWN. THE NUT ON THIS BOLT WAS STILL ON THE BOLT & FLUSH WITH THE THREADED END OF THE BOLT. THE OTHER BOLT & NUT WERE STILL ATTACHED TO THE CRANKPIN BEARING HOUSING HALVES WITH APPROXIMATELY THREE THREADS SHOWING BEYOND THE NUT. THE FOLLOWING TORQUE READINGS WERE NOTED ON THE CONROD BOLTS: #1 ROD UPPER & LOWER BOLTS - 660 INCH POUNDS; #2 ROD UPPER BOLT - 250 INCH POUNDS; #2 ROD LOWER BOLT - 300 INCH POUNDS; #3 ROD UPPER & LOWER BOLTS - 0 INCH POUNDS. REQUIRED TORQUE ON THESE BOLTS IS 480 INCH POUNDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56351](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56351-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 287325614, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287325614
- Airframe hours: 5417
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Joel Lambert Baker
- Registered owner: Joel Lambert Baker
- Departed: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Destination: ITO, GEN. LYMAN FIEL, HI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HNL, Honolulu Intl. Airport, runway 26L, 12,000 × 200 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 228 total, 228 in this make and model, 199 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °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 19821116058599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821116058599A), Nov 16, 1982: Piper PA28140, Honolulu, HI, Destroyed. Engine quit and pilot ditched aircraft in ocean. Connecting rod bearing housing had broken after bolts came loose.

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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