# NTSB MIA01LA032: Piper PA-32RT-300, N9658C, Wewahitchka, FL, November 21, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 21, 2000, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Wewahitchka, FL - Coordinates: 30.166666, -85.233329 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1667&lon=-85.2333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 51247 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51247/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA032 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to the number 5 cylinder connecting rod separating at the rod cap, resulting in a forced landing and subsequent impact with rough uneven terrain. ## Analysis The pilot smelled something, and when he checked the instruments he noticed that the oil pressure had decreased. He elected to make a force landing in rough terrain. At touchdown the landing gear tore off causing damage to the wings. Examination of the engine revealed that the number 5 cylinder connecting rod had separated at the rod cap. ## Factual narrative On November 21, 2000, about 0930 central standard time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, N9658C, owned by Grady and Francis Inc., lost engine power and was forced to land in rough terrain near Wewahitchka, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport-rated pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight departed from Orlando Executive Airport, Florida, at an unknown time, en route to Panama City, Florida. According to the pilot he smelled something, and when he checked the instruments he noticed that the oil pressure had decreased. He felt that he could not make an on airport landing so he decided to land in rough terrain. At touchdown, the landing gear tore off, causing damage to the wings. Examination of the engine revealed no visible oil on top of the engine, but oil was observed at the lower portion of the firewall. The engine was torndown and examined at Atlanta Air Salvage, Griffin, George, under the supervision of Phil Power, Senior Air Safety Investigator, Atlanta, Georgia, on February 1, 2001. The examination revealed that the number 5 cylinder connecting rod had separated at the rod cap. The crankcase had a 3 inches by 1 ½ inch hole in the bottom of the case between the crankshaft and the oil sump at the number 5 location of the crankshaft. Pieces of the number 5 connecting rod cap, rod cap bolts, and nuts were recovered fragmented. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - engine assembly,connecting rod - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9658C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9658C-2013-08-12), registration cancelled 2013-08-12, S/N 32R-7885064, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32RT-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-785064 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Grady And Francis Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: ORL, ORLANDO, FL - Destination: PFN, PANAMA CITY, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PFN, Panama City-Bay County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 22, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 10,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 11 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.50 inHg - Observed at: PFN, 30 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 20001121024829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001121024829A), Nov 21, 2000: Piper PA32RT300, Wewahitchka, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) A Piper PA-32RT-300, owned by grady and francis inc., lost engine power and was forced to land in rough terrain near Wewahitchka, Florida. (.4) on… 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.