Accident Overview
On October 12, 2014, about 1350 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151, registration N57SH, was substantially damaged during an off-airport landing near Granville, Massachusetts. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight departed from Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport (GFL), Glens Falls, New York, and was destined for Norwood Memorial Airport (OWD), Norwood, Massachusetts, under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot Actions
About 20 minutes into the flight, the engine began running roughly. The pilot observed that the tachometer indicated normal rpm, but the No. 1 cylinder's digital temperature indication graph was blank. Shortly thereafter, the engine began losing power. The pilot advised air traffic control of an intended diversion to Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport (BAF), Springfield, Massachusetts, about 20 miles away. The No. 1 cylinder temperature briefly changed from no indication to a full red bar, then returned to no indication.
As engine power continued to decrease, the pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing in a farm field. On the first approach, the airplane was too high and fast, so the pilot executed a go-around to approach from the opposite direction. During the second landing attempt, the airplane touched down hard, collapsing the nose landing gear and causing substantial damage to the firewall.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airframe and engine. The No. 1 cylinder compression was intermittently lower than expected. Disassembly revealed that the intake valve was not seating properly, and the hydraulic lifter spring was rubbing against the inside of the spring containment barrel. The intake valve head was deformed, and the stem was elongated by 0.1 inches compared to a similar valve.
The No. 1 cylinder assembly was sent to the NTSB materials laboratory. Examination confirmed the valve had the correct part number, proper hardness and alloy, and exhibited "cupping" or "tuliping" deformation of the valve head.
Maintenance History
The most recent annual inspection was completed on July 21, 2014, about 19 flight hours before the accident. An engine overhaul was completed in May 2012, about 121 flight hours before the accident. The overhaul parts list noted installation of "New Lycoming nitrided cylinder assy's." No maintenance was recorded on the No. 1 cylinder or its internal components between the overhaul and the accident.