# NTSB LAX97LA137: Piper PA-28R-200, N2226T, Continental, AZ, March 31, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 1997, 08:39 local (15:39 UTC) - Place: Continental, AZ - Coordinates: 31.810522, -110.919235 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8105&lon=-110.9192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29755/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA137 ## Probable cause loss of engine power as a result of detonation in the number 2 cylinder for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the unsuitable nature of the forced landing area. ## 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,cylinder - overtemperature (cause) - lubricating system,oil port/passage,internal - restricted (cause) - engine assembly,bearing - failure (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - seized (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The airplane lost engine oil pressure followed by seizure of the engine. The flight instructor attempted to glide to a nearby private strip but had insufficient altitude and elected to land gear up on rough level terrain. Evidence of detonation was found in the number 2 cylinder. The number 2 piston was damaged and aluminum from the piston restricted the flow of oil. The number 2 piston rod bearing failed as a result of loss of lubrication. One of the bolts to the number 2 piston rod cap broke, jamming the rotation of the crankshaft. The reason for the detonation in the number 2 cylinder could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 1997, at 0839 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N2226T, lost engine power and landed gear up off the airport near Continental, Arizona. The airplane was being operated as an instructional flight by Leading Edge Aviation, Tucson, Arizona. The airplane was substantially damaged. The certified flight instructor received minor injuries and the certificated commercial pilot/student received serious injuries. The local flight originated in Tucson about 0820. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilots reported the airplane lost engine oil pressure followed by seizure of the engine. The flight instructor attempted to glide to a nearby private landing strip but had insufficient altitude and elected to land gear up on rough level terrain. After the accident, the engine was disassembled and examined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Inspector. According to the FAA, there was evidence of detonation in the number 2 cylinder. The number 2 piston was found damaged, and aluminum from the piston was found in the engine oil screen restricting the flow of oil. The number 2 piston rod bearing exhibited evidence of heat distress and appeared to the inspector to have failed as a result of loss of lubrication. One of the bolts to the number 2 piston rod cap was found broken, jamming the rotation of the crankshaft. According to the FAA inspector, the reason for the detonation in the number 2 cylinder could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2226T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2226T), registered now, S/N 28R-7135171, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7135171 - Airframe hours: 5480 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leading Edge Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 27, 1997, 67 hours before - Departed: TUS, TUCSON, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,782 total, 134 in this make and model, 1,728 as pilot in command, 255 in the last 90 days, 92 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TUS ## 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 19970331010179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970331010179A), Mar 31, 1997: Piper PA28R200, Continental, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Engine seized. Tried for Private strip. Landed short. Detonation failed NR2 rod and piston. 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.