JOHNS ISLAND, SC, USA
N4548R
PIPER PA-28-140
THE ACFT CRASH LANDED IN A SWAMP AS THE PILOT TRIED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE ENGINE LOST POWERDURING TAKEOFF CLIMB AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT WAS TRAILING BLACK SMOKE AS IT DEPARTED. DURING THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION A LOGBOOK ENTRY WAS MADE: 'RECOMMEND #1 CYLINDER BE RECHECKED IN 10 HOURS DUE TO SUSPECTED BROKENRING AND MORE THAN 10 LBS DIFFERENCE IN COMPRESSION FROM OTHER CYLINDERS'. THIS WAS NEVER DONE AND THE ACFT HAD FLOWN ABOUT 250 HOURS SINCE THAT INSPECTION. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF AN OIL LEAK BECAUSE OF OIL POOLING IN THE COWLING. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE EXAMINED AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PLUG FROM #2 CYLINDER WAS HEAVILY SOOTED. WITNESSES SAID THE PILOT HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE ENGINE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND WAS SEEN WORKING ON THE ENGINE. THE PILOT WAS GOING TO HAVE THE ENGINE DISASSEMBLED AFTER THE ACCIDENT BUT WAS NOT DONE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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