# NTSB MIA97LA032: Piper PA-28-180, N9545J, Sugarloaf Key, FL, December 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 1, 1996, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Sugarloaf Key, FL - Location: 24.6426° N, 81.5115° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sugarloaf Key, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.6426&lon=-81.5115&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38183 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38183/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA032 ## Probable cause a complete loss of engine power due to a disconnected connecting rod cap. ## 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, cruise - engine assembly,connecting rod cap - disconnected (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis While in cruise flight the engine lost power, and the pilot elected to land on a road. As the airplane touched down the left wing struck the brush on the side of the road, veered left, and turned 180 degrees opposite the direction of travel. Witnesses reported seeing black smoke coming from the engine before impact. The airplane's engine was disassembled, and the examination revealed that the No. 3 connecting rod cap had become detached from the crankshaft assembly, resulting in external damage to the engine. In addition, the remaining connecting rod assemblies were found to be incorrectly installed, and the nuts were all found opposite end down. The No. 2 and No. 4 assemblies were found to be loose. ## Factual narrative On December 1, 1996, about 1200 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9545J, registered to a private owner, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight, crashed during a forced landing near Sugarloaf Key, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damage. The private pilot received serious injuries, and one passenger received minor injuries. While in cruise flight the pilot noticed a fluctuation in engine rpm. The engine lost power, and the pilot elected to land on a road. As the airplane touched down the left wing struck the brush on the side of the road, veered left, and turned 180 degrees opposite the direction of travel. Witnesses reported seeing black smoke coming from the engine before impact. The airplane's engine was disassembled under the supervision of the FAA, at Certified Engines Inc., Opa-Locka, Florida, on December 12, 1996. The engine examination revealed that the No. 3 connecting rod cap had become detached from the crankshaft assembly, resulting in external damage to the engine. In addition, the FAA inspector stated, the remaining connecting rod assemblies were found to be "incorrectly installed," and the nuts were "all found opposite end down." The No. 2 and No. 4 assemblies were found to be "loose." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9545J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9545J-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 28-3693, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-3693 - Airframe hours: 3923 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 lbs thrust reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Edig Executive Aircraft Inc. - Registered owner: Peter K. Hennies - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 23, 1996, 17 hours before - Departed: EYW, KEY WEST, FL - Destination: FXE, FT LUADERDALE, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 330 total, 2 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KEY, 11 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 19961201036949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961201036949A), Dec 1, 1996: Piper PA28180, Sugarloaf Key, FL, Substantial damage. Black smoke power loss. Struck brush landing on road. Swung around 180 degrees. Rod cap detached. Installed wrong. (-23) aircraft N9545J departed key west… 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.