# NTSB MIA87FA257: Piper PA-32-300, N4010R, Geneva, FL, September 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1987, 06:33 local (10:33 UTC)
- Place: Geneva, FL
- Coordinates: 28.730634, -81.11029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7306&lon=-81.1103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31783/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA257

## 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,bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - overtemperature
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - separation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FLT EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE WHEN THE NUMBER SIX CONNECTING ROD SEPARATED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT AFTER FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING. DURING AN ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING DURING DARKNESS THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND. EXAMINATION REVEALED THE NUMBER SIX CONNECTING ROD BEARING TIN OVERLAY PEELED AWAY FROM THE ALUMINUM BEARING FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE ALUMINUM BEARING WAS THEN DAMAGED AND SEPARATED FROM THE ROD. THE CONNECTING ROD THEN OVERHEATED AND SEPARATED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT WHEN THE ROD BOLTS FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4010R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4010R-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 32-40303, built 1967 (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: 3240303
- Airframe hours: 2939
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Jay Reynolds Quality Cars
- Registered owner: Jay Reynolds Quality Cars
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1986, 52 hours before
- Departed: COI, COCOA, FL
- Destination: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total, 13 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFB, 3 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 19870923055169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870923055169A), Sep 23, 1987: Piper PA32300, Geneva, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine threw a rod en route in predawn conditions. Aircraft demolished by trees and wires on forced landing.

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.