Accident Overview
On June 8, 2010, at approximately 1200 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, registration N5118L, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing in Lucedale, Mississippi. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Flight Details
The flight originated at the H L Sonny Callahan Airport (4R4) in Fairhope, Alabama, at about 1130, destined for Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport (PIB) in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The pilot estimated a flight duration of approximately one hour. About 20 minutes after departure, while at an altitude of 4,500 feet, the pilot heard a "loud pop" followed by a loss of engine power. He smelled something burning and notified the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Mobile Air Traffic Control facility. Controllers vectored him toward a nearby airport, but the pilot determined it was too far and executed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane nosed over.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on September 29, 2009, at which time he reported 530 total hours of flight experience. According to the pilot, he performed a pre-flight inspection that included checking the oil and filling the fuel tanks to full.
Aircraft and Engine Examination
Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The Lycoming O-360 engine exhibited separation of the No. 3 cylinder from the engine case; all attaching hardware was loose, and the thru-bolts were broken. No damage was observed to the valve train, piston, or cylinder interior.
Logbook Records
Airplane and engine logbooks indicated that on November 13, 2009, all four cylinders were removed and replaced with overhauled exchange chrome cylinders at a total aircraft time of 3,231 hours. The total time at the time of the accident was 3,247 hours.
Weather Conditions
The recorded weather at Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), 22 miles southeast of the accident site, at 1156 included wind from 110 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 25,000 feet, temperature 31 degrees Celsius, dew point 19 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.09 inches of mercury.