# NTSB MIA89LA066: Piper PA-32-300, N4763T, Fort Myers, FL, January 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1989, 06:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Myers, FL
- Coordinates: 26.559974, -81.870124 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5600&lon=-81.8701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32382
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32382/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA066

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE #5 CONNECTING ROD BOLT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARK NIGHT AND THE SOFT AND WET (MARSHY) TERRAIN CONDITIONS IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## 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, climb
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, HE HEARD A 'POP' & THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. HE TURNED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. ABOUT 2 MIN LATER, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A PROGRESSIVE LOSS OF ALL POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT IN A MARSHY AREA ABOUT 1 TO 2 MI FROM THE AIRPORT. AN EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE #5 CONNECTING ROD CAP BOLT HAD FAILED, WHICH RESULTED IN FURTHER DAMAGE OF THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4763T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4763T-1989-03-03), registration cancelled 1989-03-03, S/N 327240088 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7240088
- Airframe hours: 5628
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Flight Express, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: SPG, ST PETERSBURG, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,623 total, 24 in this make and model, 1,451 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 2 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 19890117007109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890117007109A), Jan 17, 1989: Piper PA32300, Ft Myers, FL, Substantial damage. Engine failed on climbout. Crash landed off airport. Connecting rod cap bolt failed causing catastrophic failure.

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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