# NTSB MIA94LA206: Piper PA-28-140, N10187, Englewood, FL, September 3, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 1994, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Englewood, FL - Coordinates: 26.949747, -82.35041 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9497&lon=-82.3504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37598 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA206 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37598/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA206 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fluid,oil - starvation (cause) - engine assembly - overtemperature - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - overload - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - separation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - tree(s) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10187-1995-03-03), registration cancelled 1995-03-03, S/N 287425219 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7425219 - Airframe hours: 4162 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940903025039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940903025039A), Sep 3, 1994: Piper PA28140, Englewood, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power. Struck tree landing on golf course. Connecting rod failure due oil starvation. Cause undetermined. 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.