# NTSB MIA92FA099: Piper PA-32-300, N16388, Aberdeen, MS, March 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1992, 06:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Aberdeen, MS
- Coordinates: 33.820247, -88.549949 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8202&lon=-88.5499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92FA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92FA099

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO INITIATE A TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT AT A LOW ALTITUDE FOLLOWING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - fatigue
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - separation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - wet

## Analysis

AT APPROXIMATELY 100-FOOT ALTITUDE, AFTER TAKEOFF, WITNESSES HEARD ENGINE SPUTTER AND LOSE POWER. AIRCRAFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO BANK STEEPLY TO THE LEFT AND DESCEND INTO TREES. A POSTCRASH FIRE ERUPTED. THE NO. 3 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE. THE FATIGUE ORIGINATED IN GALLING MARKS IN THE BEARING AREA ON THE CRANKSHAFT END. ACCORDING TO LYCOMING ENGINES, GALLING IS CAUSED BY ENGINE OVERSPEED OR OVERBOOST. NO RECORDS OF THESE EVENTS HAVING OCCURRED WERE FOUND. AFTER NO. 3 ROD SEPARATED, IT JAMMED INTO THE ENGINE CASE AND DID NOT HINDER ROTATION OF THE ENGINE. THE PROPELLER WAS FOUND TO HAVE ROTATIONAL DAMAGE, AND BLADE ANGLE AT IMPACT WAS IN THE 2100 RPM RANGE. SEVERAL LARGE TREE LIMBS WERE FOUND CUT BY THE PROPELLER AT THE CRASH SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16388](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16388-1992-08-21), registration cancelled 1992-08-21, S/N 327340084 (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: 32-7340084
- Airframe hours: 3150
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: S And S Construction Co., Inc.
- Registered owner: S And S Construction Co., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1991, 124 hours before
- Destination: 20M, MACON, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,148 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,012 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CBM, 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 19920316006449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920316006449A), Mar 16, 1992: Piper PA32300, Columbus, MS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine threw rod on climbout. Partial power. Stalled into trees turning back. Bearings indicate overspeed stress.

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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