# NTSB MIA85LA079: Piper PA-32-300, N1496X, Floridana, FL, January 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1985, 08:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: Floridana, FL
- Coordinates: 28.059822, -80.549224 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0598&lon=-80.5492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31342
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31342/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA079

## 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
  - hour meter - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE PILOT NOTED THE ENGINE WAS VIBRATING SEVERELY AND SPRAYING OIL AND THEN FAILED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE #2 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED IN OVERLOAD. A SMALL PIECE OF GEAR TOOTH WAS FOUND INSIDE THE ENGINE THE ENGINE AND IT EXHIBITED EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE FAILURE MODES.THE LOOSE GEAR TOOTH WAS FREE TO MOVE THROUGH THE ENGINE CAVITY AND INITIATE OTHER FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1496X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1496X-2012-10-11), registration cancelled 2012-10-11, S/N 32-7540165, built 1975 (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: 32-7440165
- Airframe hours: 5583
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIA5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Chapman Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1984, 398 hours before
- Departed: FXE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: MLB, MELBOURNE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,813 total, 140 in this make and model, 1,686 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 4 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 19850115001169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850115001169A), Jan 15, 1985: Piper PA32300, Floridana, FL, Substantial damage. A piece of an unknown gear tooth caused failure of cylinder connecting rod. Pilot ditched aircraft in ocean.

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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