# NTSB NYC89LA091: Piper PA-24-400, N8471P, Delmont, NJ, February 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 27, 1989, 16:33 local (20:33 UTC)
- Place: Delmont, NJ
- Location: 39.2152° N, 74.9494° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Delmont, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2152&lon=-74.9494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36381
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36381/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA091

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE #6 CONNECTING ROD.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PIPER PA-24-400 WAS CRUISING AT 2000 FT WHEN THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE ENGINE STARTED TO VIBRATE & IT LOST OIL PRESSURE. AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD & THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES. A POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 6 CONNECTING ROD. IN ADDITION, THE PISTONS WERE FOUND TO BE LARGER THAN THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS. THE ENGINE HAD A TOTAL TIME OF 1400 HRS WITH 40.5 HRS SINCE OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8471P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8471P-1991-01-28), registration cancelled 1991-01-28, S/N 2646 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-400) (registry code 7102408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26-46
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1A 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dan Caldarale
- Registered owner: Dan & Bonnie Coldarale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ILG, WILMINGTON, DE
- Destination: WWD, CAPE MAY, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,338 total, 41 in this make and model, 2,149 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890227002809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890227002809A), Feb 27, 1989: Piper PA24400, Delmont, PA, Substantial damage. Rough engine, oil on windshield. Landed in field in snow,hit fence and trees.

## Other investigations on N8471P (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 FTW72FPJ22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72FPJ22), Oct 29, 1971: Piper PA-24 (N8471P), Yukon, OK, 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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