# NTSB LAX85FA122: Piper PA-24-400, N3983D, Helendale, CA, January 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1985, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Helendale, CA
- Coordinates: 34.740768, -117.350234 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7408&lon=-117.3502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24461
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24461/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA122

## 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, descent - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance - poor, other person (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - poor, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, other person (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER INITIATING AN ENROUTE LETDOWN, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AT ABOUT 4,500 FT MSL. PLT SELECTED A ROAD FOR AN ATTEMPTED EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT A CAR TURNED ONTO THE ROAD IN FRONT OF HIM AND FORCED A DIVERSION TO A NEARBY FIELD. THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED BERMS, RUTS AND CLUMPS OF BUSHES AFTER TOUCHDOWN. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 6 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED NEAR THE CRANKSHAFT END WITH HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE EVIDENT OVER ABOUT 60% OF THE MATERIAL THICKNESS. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT MAINTENANCE RECORDS DISCLOSED THAT SINCE MANUFACTURE IN 1964, THE ACFT HAD ACCRUED A TOTAL OF 1,299 HRS, WITH ONLY 109 HRS IN OPERATION SINCE 1976. LYCOMING PUBLICATIONS INDICATED THAT THE ROD HAD BEEN SUPERCEDED IN PRODUCTION SEVERAL TIMES, WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART NUMBER NOT ALLOWED FOR REUSE AT OVERHAUL. THE MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED OVERHAUL PERIOD IS 1,800 HRS OR 10 YEARS TIME IN SERVICE, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3983D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3983D-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 26-111 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-400) (registry code 7102408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26-111
- Airframe hours: 1299
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1A 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman D. Norris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1984, 11 hours before
- Departed: BLD, BOULDER CITY, NV
- Destination: WJF, LANCASTER, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,997 total, 9 in this make and model, 8,331 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VCV, 14 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 19850124002259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850124002259A), Jan 24, 1985: Piper PA24400, Helendale, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with ground obstructions during emergency landing. Connecting rod failed during flight.

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.