# NTSB MKC84FA235: Piper PA32R300, N1654H, Des Moines, IA, July 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1984, 22:10 local (Jul 30, 1984, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Des Moines, IA
- Location: 41.6005° N, 93.6091° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Des Moines, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6005&lon=-93.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33544
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33544/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA235

## 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, cruise
  - engine assembly,other - worn (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENG BEGAN TO 'SHUDDER BADLY' UPON REACHING A CRUISE ALT OF 3500 FT MSL SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG COURSE REVERSAL TO RETURN TO THE ARPT BUT REPORTED TO ATC HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUTSIDE THE ACFT BECAUSE OIL WAS SMEARED ON THE ACFT. THE ENG LOST TOTAL PWR AFTER THE PLT COMPLETED THE TURN. THE PLT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ON A FARM DURING WHICH THE LANDING GEAR SEPARATED UPON CONTACTING THE LIP OF A FENCEROW. THE ACFT THEN TRAVELED THRU A BARBED WIRE FENCE WHERE THE WINGS WERE DAMAGED BY FENCE POSTS. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF FAILED ENG COMPONENTS REVEALED 2 CONNECTING RODS FAILED FROM HIGH STRESS FATIGUE. THREE CAM FOLLOWERS SHOWED THE HEADS WERE SEVERLY WORN AND SUFFERED HEAVY SPALLING DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1654H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1654H-2012-10-15), registration cancelled 2012-10-15, S/N 32R-7780169, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32R300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7780169
- Airframe hours: 1558
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Great Planes Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1984, 54 hours before
- Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Destination: CBF, COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 480 total, 50 in this make and model, 290 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 0° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 2 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 19840729038719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840729038719A), Jul 29, 1984: Piper PA32R300, Des Moines, IA, Substantial damage. Lost engine power after departure. Struck fence row and fence posts in field cam followers, connecting rods 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.

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