- Date
- September 3, 1994, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place
- Englewood, FL
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N10187Piper PA-28-140
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 26, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19940903025039A
- Case key
- 37598
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The failure of the number four connecting rod and rod bolts due to oil starvation (extreme heat) for undetermined reasons, resulting in a total loss of engine power, forced landing, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The private pilot stated the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight. He made a forced landing to a golf course, and the airplane collided with a tree while trying to avoid personnel on the ground. Examination of the engine assembly and accessories by an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authority revealed, the failure of the number four connecting rod and rod bolts due to extreme heat for undetermined reasons. Bench binocular microscope examination of components sent to the NTSB laboratory revealed damage that was consistent with oil starvation. The cause of the oil starvation was not determined.
Factual narrative
On September 3, 1994, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N10187, registered to Harry C. Green Jr., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The pilot made a forced landing to a golf course and the airplane collided with a tree while trying to avoid personnel on the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Arcadia, Florida, about 20 minutes before the accident.
Examination of the engine assembly and accessories by an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authority revealed the No. 4 connecting rod and rod bolts failed due to extreme heat for undetermined reasons.
The No. 4 connecting rod assembly with detached cap and fragments from the bearing shells; No. 3 connecting rod assembly; and oil pump housing with attached drive and driven gears were forwarded to the NTSB materials laboratory for analysis. Bench binocular microscope examination revealed damage that was consistent with oil starvation. The cause of the oil starvation was not determined. (For additional information see NTSB Metallurgist's Factual Report No. 95-33).
The engine logbooks and components retained for further testing were released to Mr. Harry C. Green Jr., registered owner of the airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N10187
- Reported as
- Piper PA-28-140
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 28-7425219
- Airframe hours
- 4,162
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-E3D, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Harry C. Green Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · August 2, 1993 · 41 hours before
- Departed
- X-06 · Arcadia, FL
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 52
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 685 total · 620 in this make and model · 654 as pilot in command · 8 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature
- 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- SRQ, 25 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.