Incident Overview
While en route at an altitude of 5,000 feet above mean sea level, the pilot transmitted that an engine problem had occurred and requested clearance to land at the Providence/Theodore Francis Green State Airport, approximately 12 miles away. The pilot then asked the controller if that was the closest airport, but due to radio congestion, the controller had difficulty understanding the pilot. Vectors were provided to the Providence Airport.
Crash Details
Subsequently, the aircraft crashed across an interstate highway approximately 2 miles from the airport while on a heading in that direction. During the crash landing, the aircraft collided with a concrete divider/barrier.
Investigation Findings
An investigation revealed that the engine crankshaft, part number 639243, had failed from fatigue at two locations. The forward failure was through the crankcheek between the No. 2 main bearing journal and the No. 3 connecting rod crankpin. The aft failure was through the crankcheek between the No. 4 connecting rod crankpin and the No. 3 main bearing journal. Both fatigue cracks had subsurface origins.