Summary
On February 13, 1996, a Piper PA-32-300 (N8951N) was involved in an accident near Windermere, FL. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The use of improper connecting rod bolts, failure of the overhaul facility to record the correct overhaul date on the work orders for the stored connecting rod assemblies, and subsequent failure of the connecting rod bolts.
On February 13, 1996, about 1304 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N8951N, collided with a tree during a forced landing at Windermere, Florida. The aircraft was operated by the Florida Department of Agriculture under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the public use flight, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries; the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft departed Kissimmee Airport, Kissimmee, Florida, at 1100 on the same day.
The pilot stated that while in cruise flight on a forest fire spotting mission, the engine began to run roughly, vibrating the entire aircraft. Oil started spraying from the engine onto the windscreen, then the engine quit.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ATL96TA047. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8951N.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the use of improper connecting rod bolts, failure of the overhaul facility to record the correct overhaul date on the work orders for the stored connecting rod assemblies, and subsequent failure of the connecting rod bolts.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On February 13, 1996, about 1304 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N8951N, collided with a tree during a forced landing at Windermere, Florida. The aircraft was operated by the Florida Department of Agriculture under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the public use flight, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries; the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft departed Kissimmee Airport, Kissimmee, Florida, at 1100 on the same day.
The pilot stated that while in cruise flight on a forest fire spotting mission, the engine began to run roughly, vibrating the entire aircraft. Oil started spraying from the engine onto the windscreen, then the engine quit. The pilot executed an emergency landing, touching down in an orange grove, and collided with a tree.
An engine examination revealed that bogus connecting rod bolts had been used in the engine. The bolts in two connecting rods failed, resulting in the failure of the engine. Investigation determined that the bolts were manufactured in the 1980s, and became available in the Unites States market on February 15, 1994. The bolts were obtained by the repair station in June, 1994, and installed in connecting rod assemblies that were in storage. The overhaul date on the work order for the stored rod assemblies was not changed at that time, and continued to indicate an overhaul date of February 9, 1994. The stored rod assemblies were then installed in the engine during an overhaul in October 28, 1994. On March 17, 1995, Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-07-01 was issued to inspect engines with connecting rod bolts installed on or since February 15, 1994. The AD was not complied with on the engine because the repair station certified that the rod assemblies had been overhauled on February 9, 1994, before the effective date of the AD.
The FAA conducted an investigation to locate and remove from the system all defective connecting rod bolts from the original manufacturer.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL96TA047