# NTSB MIA96LA075: Piper PA-28R, N55329, Boca Raton, FL, February 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 8, 1996, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Boca Raton, FL - Coordinates: 26.379997, -80.16957 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.3800&lon=-80.1696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 6, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37978 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37978/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA075 ## Probable cause the partial loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the number 3 cylinder hold down studs and nut. A factor was the pilot'e evasive maneuver to avoid golphers on a golf course. ## 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 - to cruise - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) - evasive maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was climbing through 4,000 feet when the pilot heard a 'pop' and the engine started shaking. The pilot made a forced landing to a golf course. On landing roll out the pilot made a turn to the left to avoid some golfers who did not move. The right wing of the airplane collided with a tree. Examination of the engine revealed the number 3 cylinder hold down studs and nut failed due to fatigue. ## Factual narrative On February 8, 1996, about 0845 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28R, N55329, registered to Professional Flight Training Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, experienced a partial loss of engine power, and made a forced landing in the vicinity of Boca Raton, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot/certified flight instructor (CFI), and student pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Fort Lauderdale about 19 minutes before the accident. The CFI stated they were climbing through 4,000 feet when they heard a noise similar to a "pop" and the engine started shaking. The CFI reversed course for Fort Lauderdale and informed Miami Approach Control of his intentions. The airplane would not maintain altitude so he started flying towards Boca Raton Airport. He realized he would not make the airport and made a forced landing to a golf course. On landing roll he had to turn to the left to avoid hitting some golfers who did not move. The right wing of the airplane collided with a tree sustaining substantial damage. Examination of the engine assembly by the FAA revealed a failure of the hold down studs on the No. 3 cylinder and one hold down nut on the No. 1 cylinder. Examination of the hold down studs and nut was performed by the NTSB materials laboratory. The examination revealed that all three studs separated as a result of fatigue fracture mechanism. The fracture face on the nut contained characteristic features of a high stress fatigue separation. (See NTSB Metallurgist's Factual Report No. 96-86.) The hold down studs and nut were released to Mr. Tom Margagliano, Professional Flight Training Inc., on April 23, 1996. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55329](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55329-2008-04-11), registration cancelled 2008-04-11, S/N 28R-7335217, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7385217 - Airframe hours: 5326 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pft Inc. - Registered owner: Pft Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 25, 1996, 9 hours before - Departed: FXE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Destination: ORL, ORLANDO, FL - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,250 total, 120 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PBI, 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 19960208001479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960208001479A), Feb 8, 1996: Piper PA28R200, Boc Raton, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on dual flight. Struck tree landing on golf course. NR3 cyl hold down studs failed. 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.