# NTSB MIA86LA179: Piper PA-24-400, N8495P, St.Augustine, FL, June 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1986, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: St.Augustine, FL
- Coordinates: 29.890161, -81.309242 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8902&lon=-81.3092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA179

## 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 - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

A FORCED LDG WAS MADE AFTER THE ENG FAILED WHILE CRUISING AT 8000 FT. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE TOP OF THE CRANKCASE WAS CRACKED & A HOLE WAS IN THE TOP OF THE CASE AT THE NO. 2 CYLINDER. THE BOTTOM OF THE CAP OF THE NO. 2 CONNECTING ROD HAD BROKEN OFF & THE ROD WAS PROTRUDING THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE CASE. WHEN THE ROD FAILED, ENG OIL SPRAYED OVER THE WINDSHIELD OBSCURING THE PLT'S FORWARD VISION. THE ACFT WAS A 1964 MODEL & ACCORDING TO RECORDS, THE ENG HAD NEVER BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ACFT OR OVERHAULED DURING THE 22 YEAR PERIOD SINCE NEW. TOTAL TIME ON THE ACFT AND ENG WAS 1446 HOURS. THE OWNER/PLT STATED THAT HE FELT THE ENG SHOULD HAVE 'GOTTEN 1600 HRS OR MORE, INSTEAD OF 1446' BEFORE ANY FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8495P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8495P-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 26-75, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-400) (registry code 7102408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26-75
- Airframe hours: 1446
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1A 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Backus Cadillac Pontiac
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1985, 17 hours before
- Departed: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Destination: PBI, WEST PALM BCH, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SGJ, St. Augustine, runway 20, 2,530 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 847 total, 660 in this make and model, 660 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 15 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 19860611023769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860611023769A), Jun 11, 1986: Piper PA24400, St Augustine, FL, Substantial damage. Engine threw a rod on liftoff. Oil covered windshield. Collided with small trees and brush, landing on runway end.

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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