# NTSB MIA84FA196: Piper PA-32-300, N32538, Niceville, FL, June 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1984, 10:16 local (15:16 UTC)
- Place: Niceville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.529493, -86.480728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5295&lon=-86.4807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31001
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31001/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA196

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly,camshaft - worn
  - engine assembly,push rod - worn
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - foreign object
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - failure,partial
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - disconnected
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES SHORT OF THE RWY AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT ON FINAL APPROACH. THE ENGINE FAILED FROM INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR RETENTION SYSTEM. A TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR BOLT HAD BACKED OUT & THE BOLT HEAD WAS NOTED TO HAVE CONTACTED THE OIL PUMP DRIVE TANK. ALSO, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT FOREIGN MATERIAL HAD PASSED THRU THE GEAR SYS. THE SOURCE OF THE MATERIAL WAS FROM SEVERELY SPALLED TAPPETS. THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR DOWEL PIN WAS SHEARED. SEVERAL CAMSHAFT LOBES WERE WORN WITH CORRESPONDING TAPPET FACE SPALLING. THE INITIAL SOURCE OF THE FAILURE MODE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32538](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32538-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 32-7540047, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327540047
- Airframe hours: 2093
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K145 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James M. Sloan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1983, 198 hours before
- Departed: TYNDALL AFB, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FL17, Ruckel, runway 36, 3,300 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,390 total, 160 in this make and model, 4,938 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VPS, 5 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 19840630070319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840630070319A), Jun 30, 1984: Piper PA32300, Niceville, FL, Destroyed. Crash occurred when engine failed on approach for landing. Aircraft crashed into tree short of airport.

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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