GRAY, GA, USA
N32105
PIPER PA-28R-200
INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT AFTER COMPLETING A STALL SERIES THE ENGINE BEGAN TO BACKFIRE CONTINOUSLY & POWER WAS LOST SO THAT HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE AND A FENCE WAS HIT DURING THE LANDING ROLL. ENG HAD BEEN OVERHAULED & INSTALLED IN ACFT 36 HOURS PRIOR. FAA MAINTENANCE INSPECTOR DESCRIBED OVERHAUL AS GOOD. NO ENG MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN DONE SINCE ENG INSTALLED IN ACFT. ACFT WAS PARKED ON OUTSIDE RAMP. FAA INSPECTOR FOUND THE NUTS & LOCKWASHERS MISSING FROM THE NO. 3 CYLINDER VALVE ROCKER SHAFT HOLD DOWN PLATES WHICH ALLOWED THE EXHAUST ROCKER SHAFT TO BACK OUT OF THE CYLINDER AND THE INTAKE ROCKER SHAFT TO BACK OUT OF THE CYLINDER. RESULT WAS LOSS OF OPERATION OF THE NO. 3 CYLINDER & SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ALL REMAINING ROCKER SHAFT NUTS WERE TIGHT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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