On January 15, 1985, a Piper PA-32-300 (registration N1496X) operated by Chapman Air, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Floridana, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fatigue failure of a gear tooth, which became loose and moved through the engine cavity, initiating the overload failure of the #2 cylinder connecting rod and subsequent engine failure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During cruise, a pilot experienced severe engine vibration and oil spraying followed by engine failure. Investigation revealed that a fatigue-fractured gear tooth had caused the #2 cylinder connecting rod to fail in overload.
Event Summary
During cruise flight, the pilot noted that the engine was vibrating severely and spraying oil. Shortly thereafter, the engine failed. The aircraft landed without further incident.
Examination Findings
A post-incident examination of the engine revealed that the #2 cylinder connecting rod had failed in overload. Inside the engine, a small piece of gear tooth was found. This gear tooth exhibited evidence of fatigue failure modes. The loose gear tooth was free to move through the engine cavity and initiate other failures.
The connecting rod failure was consistent with overload, and the presence of the fatigue-fractured gear tooth indicates that it played a role in the sequence of events leading to the engine failure.
Probable cause
Fatigue failure of a gear tooth, which became loose and moved through the engine cavity, initiating the overload failure of the #2 cylinder connecting rod and subsequent engine failure.
What happened in the 15 Jan 1985 Piper PA-32-300 accident near Floridana, FL?
During cruise, a pilot experienced severe engine vibration and oil spraying followed by engine failure. Investigation revealed that a fatigue-fractured gear tooth had caused the #2 cylinder connecting rod to fail in overload.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 15 Jan 1985 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N1496X, operated by Chapman Air, Inc., at Floridana, FL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Fatigue failure of a gear tooth, which became loose and moved through the engine cavity, initiating the overload failure of the #2 cylinder connecting rod and subsequent engine failure.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…