# NTSB SEA00LA048: Piper PA-28-180, N8170W, Richland, WA, March 6, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 2000, 15:17 local (23:17 UTC) - Place: Richland, WA - Coordinates: 46.249538, -119.290618 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2495&lon=-119.2906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48752 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48752/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA048 ## Probable cause Failure of a connecting rod for undetermined reasons. Factors include unsuitable terrain for the forced landing attempt. ## 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, maneuvering - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported experiencing an engine problem, and attempted to perform a forced landing on a highway. During the landing roll, the airplane rolled into a gully, substantially damaging a wing. Preliminary inspection by FAA inspectors revealed that number 3 and number 4 cylinders could not be removed due to barrel damage. Number 4 piston did not move when the crankshaft was rotated, and extensive metal particles were evident within the crankcase. The connecting rod was determined to have failed ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2000, approximately 1517 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8170W, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Richland, Washington, after a loss of power. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. No flight plan was filed for the local flight, which had departed Pasco, Washington, about 1510. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. There was no report of ELT actuation. The pilot reported experiencing an engine problem, and attempted to perform a forced landing on highway 240. During the landing roll, the airplane rolled into a gully, substantially damaging a wing. Preliminary inspection by FAA inspectors revealed that number 3 and number 4 cylinders could not be removed due to barrel damage. Number 4 piston did not move when the crankshaft was rotated, and extensive metal particles were evident within the crankcase. The connecting rod was determined to have failed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8170W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8170W-2017-04-18), registration cancelled 2017-04-18, S/N 28-2289, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-2289 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ryan Dashiell - Registered owner: Ross Dashiell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PSC, PASCO, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,950 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KPS ## 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 20000306009129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000306009129A), Mar 6, 2000: Piper PA28180, Pasco, WA, No damage. (-23) #33-ON scene investigation revealed a bulging crankcase crack between the push-rod lobes on the #4 cylinder. Post accident investigation revealed there… ## Other investigations on N8170W (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 NYC66A0072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66A0072), Jan 7, 1966: Piper PA-28 (N8170W), Hampton, NH, 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. --- 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.