Accident Overview
On November 2, 2009, at 1403 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, registration N8364W, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a field approximately 2 miles southeast of the Branch County Memorial Airport (EOB) in Coldwater, Michigan. The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power when the engine seized during cruise flight at 2,500 feet above mean sea level (msl). The pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The flight, conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, departed Pontiac, Michigan, around 1300 and was en route to Champaign, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that during cruise flight, the oil temperature began rising, prompting a decision to land at EOB. When approximately five miles from the airport, the engine started making noise, and the propeller subsequently “froze.” The pilot executed a forced landing to a field, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.
Engine Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector examined the airplane. The engine was a 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360-A3A. A hole was observed on the top of the engine crankcase at the #4 cylinder position. The #4 cylinder was removed, revealing that the #4 piston connecting rod was disconnected from the crankshaft and deformed into a “U” shape. The #4 connecting rod cap was separated from the connecting rod. One of the connecting bolts was sheared in half with the nut still attached to one end; the other connecting rod bolt was not located in the connecting rod or rod cap but was found in the bottom of the engine. This bolt exhibited impact damage on its threads but was otherwise intact and not bent. The nut for this connecting rod bolt was not found. Additionally, the connecting rod bolts for the #3 connecting rod and rod cap were both found sheared in half, with their nuts still attached.
Maintenance Records
Review of the engine logbook indicated that four new pistons were installed on May 31, 2003, with no mention of connecting rod replacement. On May 1, 2007, the #4 cylinder was replaced, but the logbook entry did not indicate that the #4 piston or connecting rod had been repaired or replaced. Similarly, on September 12, 2007, the #3 cylinder was replaced without any record of repair or replacement of the #3 piston or connecting rod.