On April 9, 2006, a Piper PA-28RT-201 (registration N901AV) operated by Northeast Aviation Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Philadelphia, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fatigue of the cylinder attachment studs and both through bolts, initiating in the lower aft stud, leading to separation of the number 3 cylinder from the engine case. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During takeoff, a pilot heard a loud noise and experienced severe engine vibration, then landed straight ahead. The airplane came to rest 500-700 feet beyond the runway. Investigation found the number 3 cylinder separated due to fatigue of attachment studs and through bolts.
Incident Overview
During the takeoff roll, the pilot heard a loud noise and the engine began to vibrate severely. Recognizing that a return to the airport was not feasible, the pilot elected to land straight ahead. The airplane came to rest approximately 500 to 700 feet beyond the departure end of the runway.
Examination Findings
Post-incident examination of the airplane revealed that the engine's number 3 cylinder had separated from the engine case. Further inspection of the number 3 cylinder determined that its separation resulted from fatigue of the cylinder attachment studs and both through bolts. The fatigue crack initiated in the lower aft stud and propagated to the other studs and bolts.
Engine Information
The engine had accumulated 1,407 total hours of operation since its most recent overhaul. No other anomalies were noted in the engine or airframe.
Probable cause
Fatigue of the cylinder attachment studs and both through bolts, initiating in the lower aft stud, leading to separation of the number 3 cylinder from the engine case.
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