# NTSB MIA97LA163: Piper PA-24-180, N7931P, Yakkama City, FL, May 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 1997, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Yakkama City, FL - Coordinates: 27.489336, -81.450637 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4893&lon=-81.4506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38279 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38279/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA163 ## Probable cause a complete loss of engine power due to the separation of the connecting rod bolts, resulting in a forced landing and impact with a tree. A factor in this accident was improper installation of the rod bolts by a mechanic. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - separation (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The flight was about 25 miles east of the destination airport when the pilot reported that he 'heard maybe 2 seconds of ticking then complete engine failure. He spent about 10 to 15 seconds trying to stop the engine because he thought the engine would 'tear itself off the aircraft.' The pilot chose to make a forced landing in a field. One wing separated from the airplane when it collided with a tree on the approach, and the airplane traveled about 150 feet before it came to a stop. An engine teardown was performed under the supervision of the FAA, and revealed that all 4 connecting rod caps had come apart from their rods. The rod bolt nuts were found lying on the bottom of the oil pan. The investigation revealed that a mechanic had installed two (2) modified rod caps without the connecting rod assemblies, and without inspecting or servicing prior to installation on the engine. . ## Factual narrative On May 14, 1997, about 1000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-180, N7931P, registered to Double Eagle Aircraft Sales Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while making a forced landing near Yakkama City, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Witham Field Airport, Stuart, Florida, about 0830. The pilot stated that he was about 25 miles east of Sarasota, Florida, when the engine lost complete power. He stated that he "heard maybe 2 seconds of ticking then complete engine failure." He further stated that he had just checked the oil temperature and pressure and they were "normal." The pilot said he spent about 10 to 15 seconds trying to stop the engine because he thought the engine would "tear itself off the aircraft." The pilot chose to make a forced landing in a field. One wing separated from the aircraft when it collided with a tree on the approach, and the airplane traveled about 150 feet before it came to a stop. On May 22, 1997, an engine teardown was performed at Aviation Consultants facilities, Wimauma, Florida, under the supervision of the FAA. The engine teardown revealed that all 4 connecting rod caps "had come apart" from their rods. Some of the rod bolt nuts were found lying on the bottom of the oil pan. Some of the nuts were "still installed to the sheared rod bolt." The FAA inspector stated, "...the mechanic...had installed two (2) modified rod caps without the connecting rod assemblies, [and without] incept[ing] and service[ing] prior to installation on the engine." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7931P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7931P-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 24-3165, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (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: 243165 - Airframe hours: 2028 - Engines: Lycoming O-360A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Arlan Elroy Nuss - Registered owner: Double Eagle Aircraft Sales - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SUA, STUART, FL - Destination: SRQ, SARASOTA, FL - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 24,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 23,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °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 19970514012849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970514012849A), May 14, 1997: Piper PA24180, Yakkama City, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) May 14, 1997, during a telephone interview, the pilot recollected the event in question. The pilot stated that he heard a metallic ticking noise and… 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.