# NTSB MKC84LA038: Piper PA-32-260, N321HF, Sikeston, MO, December 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1983, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Sikeston, MO
- Coordinates: 36.879909, -89.579963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8799&lon=-89.5800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33602/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA038

## 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 - normal
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER ENGINE FAILURE. DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT THE ENGINE POPPED AND QUIT. THE PLT APPROACHED A ROAD TO LAND BUT SAW A VEHICLE DURING APPROACH AND VEERED OFF INTO A FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BROKEN CRANKSHAFT WHICH HAD FAILED AT THE NUMBER 4 BEARING JOURNAL CHEEK. THE SHAFT EXHIBITED SEVERAL GOUGES EXTENDING THROUGH ABOUT 90 DEGREES OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE. THE FATIGUE INITIATION AREA APPEARED TO BE LOCATED IN ONE OF THESE GOUGES. THERE WAS NO LOG BOOK ENTRY TO INDICATE A PREVIOUS SUDDEN STOPPAGE OF THE ENGINE BUT NUMEROUS CYLINDER CHANGES OVER THE ENGINE LIFE WERE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N321HF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N321HF-1991-01-31), registration cancelled 1991-01-31, S/N 32281 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-281
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Preprint Sales, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1983
- Departed: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Destination: JAX, JACKSONVILLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 670 total, 164 in this make and model, 630 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGI, 20 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 19831216061479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831216061479A), Dec 16, 1983: Piper PA32260, Sikeston, MO, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after crankshaft failure caused engine failure.

## Other investigations on N321HF (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW80FRD09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FRD09), Dec 5, 1979: Piper PA-32 (N321HF), Cameron, LA, substantial damage

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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