# NTSB LAX92LA122: Piper PA-28R-201T, N9343C, Ludlow, CA, February 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1992, 13:37 local (21:37 UTC)
- Place: Ludlow, CA
- Coordinates: 34.720905, -116.150192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7209&lon=-116.1502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27561
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27561/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA122

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE REPAIR STATION TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM A TOP OVERHAUL AND COMPLY WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD DUE TO FATIGUE AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## 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,connecting rod - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - fatigue (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,major repair - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A CATASTROPHIC CONNECTING ROD FAILURE WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY LANDING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY.  THE ENGINE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE NO. 5 CONNECTING ROD FAILED AT THE SMALL END DUE TO FATIGUE.  THE FAILED CONNECTING ROD WAS A CORNEL FORGING 626119.  THE LOGBOOK EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE NOS. 5 AND 6 CYLINDERS WERE REMOVED AND REPLACED ABOUT 10 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND THAT MAINTENANCE FACILITY FAILED TO COMPLY WITH CONTINENTAL SERVICE BULLETIN NO. M86-11, REV. 1.  THIS SERVICE BULLETIN RECOMMENDS THAT WHEN THE CYLINDERS ARE REMOVED FOR ANY REASON THE CORNEL FORGING CONNECTING ROD 626119 SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A STRONGER CONNECTING ROD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9343C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9343C-2015-05-04), registration cancelled 2015-05-04, S/N 28R-7803254, built 1978 (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: 28R-7803254
- Airframe hours: 1460
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB1 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Higgins, Melvin W & Jean
- Registered owner: Higgins, Melvin W & Jean
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1992, 25 hours before
- Departed: LHU, LAKE HAVASU CIT, AZ
- Destination: BUR, BURBANK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 500 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19920222003489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920222003489A), Feb 22, 1992: Piper PA28201T, Ludlow, CA, Substantial damage. Engine threw connecting rod through engine case. Tried land on I40. Oil on windsheild. M8611 bulletin not complied.

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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