1989-05-14: Piper PA-24-250 — Waunakee, WI

Casualties unknown • Waunakee, WI, US

Probable cause

SLIPPAGE OF A BEARING, WHICH RESULTED IN BLOCKAGE OF THE LUBRICATION SYSTEM, AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF A CONNECTING ROD.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING FROM TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTICED AN UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE & OIL PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS. WHEN HE REALIZED THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT REACH THE AIRPORT, HE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE & MADE A WHEELS UP LANDING IN A NEWLY PLANTED CORN FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF OIL STARVATION OF THE #4 ROD BEARING, THE #5 ROD BEARING & THE MAIN BEARING, THEN SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE #5 ROD. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE OCCURRENCE WAS INITIATED BY SLIPPAGE OF A BEARING.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-05-14 Piper PA-24-250 accident near Waunakee, WI?

AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING FROM TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTICED AN UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE & OIL PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS. WHEN HE REALIZED THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT REACH THE AIRPORT, HE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE & MADE A WHEELS UP LANDING IN A NEWLY PLANTED CORN FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF OIL STARVATION…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-05-14 involved a Piper PA-24-250, registration N7465P, at Waunakee, WI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

SLIPPAGE OF A BEARING, WHICH RESULTED IN BLOCKAGE OF THE LUBRICATION SYSTEM, AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF A CONNECTING ROD.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28268. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…