LUDLOW, CA, USA
N9343C
PIPER PA-28R-201T
THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A CATASTROPHIC CONNECTING ROD FAILURE WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY LANDING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE NO. 5 CONNECTING ROD FAILED AT THE SMALL END DUE TO FATIGUE. THE FAILED CONNECTING ROD WAS A CORNEL FORGING 626119. THE LOGBOOK EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE NOS. 5 AND 6 CYLINDERS WERE REMOVED AND REPLACED ABOUT 10 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND THAT MAINTENANCE FACILITY FAILED TO COMPLY WITH CONTINENTAL SERVICE BULLETIN NO. M86-11, REV. 1. THIS SERVICE BULLETIN RECOMMENDS THAT WHEN THE CYLINDERS ARE REMOVED FOR ANY REASON THE CORNEL FORGING CONNECTING ROD 626119 SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A STRONGER CONNECTING ROD.
THE FAILURE OF THE REPAIR STATION TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM A TOP OVERHAUL AND COMPLY WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD DUE TO FATIGUE AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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