SIKESTON, MO, USA
N321HF
PIPER PA-32-260
THE ACFT NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER ENGINE FAILURE. DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT THE ENGINE POPPED AND QUIT. THE PLT APPROACHED A ROAD TO LAND BUT SAW A VEHICLE DURING APPROACH AND VEERED OFF INTO A FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BROKEN CRANKSHAFT WHICH HAD FAILED AT THE NUMBER 4 BEARING JOURNAL CHEEK. THE SHAFT EXHIBITED SEVERAL GOUGES EXTENDING THROUGH ABOUT 90 DEGREES OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE. THE FATIGUE INITIATION AREA APPEARED TO BE LOCATED IN ONE OF THESE GOUGES. THERE WAS NO LOG BOOK ENTRY TO INDICATE A PREVIOUS SUDDEN STOPPAGE OF THE ENGINE BUT NUMEROUS CYLINDER CHANGES OVER THE ENGINE LIFE WERE NOTED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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