# NTSB NYC04LA105: Piper PA-46-310P, N861DD, Taylor, PA, April 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 13, 2004, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Taylor, PA - Coordinates: 41.386112, -75.675003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3861&lon=-75.6750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Teledyne Continental Motors, FAA Allentown FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59061 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59061/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA105 ## Probable cause The failure of the number 2 connecting rod, after a main bearing shift, which resulted in a catastrophic engine failure. ## 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,bearing - shifted (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The airplane was in a climb at 5,500 feet, when the engine began to vibrate and lose power. The pilot observed an increase in oil temperature, and a decrease in oil pressure; which was followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field; however, during the landing, the airplane's left wing impacted a tree. Examination of the airplane revealed streaks of oil on the engine cowling, and a 6-inch hole in the top of the engine crankcase, in the vicinity of the number 2 cylinder. Further examination revealed that the number 2 connecting rod was broken into four pieces. The connecting rod journal was black in color and the metal had a "smeared" appearance. Fretting was observed on the mating surfaces of the number 2 main bearing saddles. In addition, the bearing shells had "walked" towards the rear of the engine about 1/4 of an inch. The crankcase through-bolt torques could not be determined. According to a representative of the engine manufacturer, a bearing shift could result in a decrease in oil flow to the journal, and a subsequent catastrophic engine failure. The airplane had been operated for 26 hours, since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed about a month prior to the accident. The engine had been operated for about 1,700 hours, since it was rebuilt by TCM about 9 years prior to the accident.. The number 2 and 4 cylinders had been replaced about 830 hours prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 13, 2004, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-46-310P, N861DD, experienced a loss of engine power while in cruise flight, and was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Taylor, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot and a passenger were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Seamans Field, Factoryville, Pennsylvania, destined for Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the airplane was in a climb at 5,500 feet, when the engine began to vibrate and lose power. He also observed an increase in oil temperature, and a decrease in oil pressure; which was followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot established a glide and "broke out" of the clouds at 2,000 feet. He then performed a forced landing to a field; however, during the landing, the airplane's left wing impacted a tree. The airplane was equipped with a Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) TSIO-520-BE engine. Initial examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed streaks of oil on the engine cowling. A 6-inch hole was observed in the top of the engine crankcase, in the vicinity of the number 2 cylinder, and the left magneto was separated. The engine was retained for further examination. The engine was disassembled and examined under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The examination revealed that the number 2 connecting rod was broken into four pieces. The connecting rod journal was black in color and the metal had a "smeared" appearance. Fretting was observed on the mating surfaces of the number 2 main bearing saddles. In addition, the bearing shells had "walked" towards the rear of the engine about 1/4 of an inch. The crankcase through-bolt torques could not be determined. According to a TCM representative, a bearing shift could result in a decrease in oil flow to the journal, and a subsequent catastrophic engine failure. The airplane had been operated for 26 hours, since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed on March 8, 2004. The engine had been operated for about 1,700 hours, since it was rebuilt by TCM on February 21, 1995. The number 2 and 4 cylinders had been replaced about 830 hours prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N861DD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N861DD-2007-03-13), registration cancelled 2007-03-13, S/N 4608002, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-46-310P - Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46-86002 - Airframe hours: 3448 - Engines: Teledyne Continental TSIO-520BE 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Timothy Morgan - Registered owner: Robert H. Schreckengaust - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 2004, 26 hours before - Departed: 9N3, Factoryville, PA - Destination: LNS, Lancaster, PA - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 11, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 551 total, 16 in this make and model, 349 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: AVP, 5 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 20040413007829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040413007829A), Apr 13, 2004: Piper PA46310P, Taylor, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft departed seamans field in factoryville, PA at approximately 1215 local time, on an instrument flight plan to lancaster pa. After… 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.