Accident Overview
On September 3, 2018, about 1353 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-32 airplane, registration N3957X, sustained substantial damage during an emergency landing near Wrangell, Alaska. The private pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Engine Failure and Emergency Landing
According to the pilot, while in level cruise flight, the engine rpm increased from a cruise power setting of 2,300 to 3,100. The pilot reduced the manifold pressure to correct the high rpm. Shortly thereafter, the engine oil pressure dropped and oil appeared on the airplane’s windscreen, followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed an emergency landing near the high tide line in an area of seagrass. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing.
Engine Examination
The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 engine. Post-accident examination revealed a large fracture hole near the Nos. 4- and 5-cylinder pads. The Nos. 4 and 5 connecting rods were fragmented, and pieces of the connecting rods along with a large amount of metal debris were found within the engine and oil suction screen. The Nos. 4 and 5 connecting rods and rod bearing journals exhibited extensive mechanical damage and signatures consistent with extreme high heat.
The engine oil pump was intact with no evidence of thermal damage. The engine case halves displayed mechanical damage with multiple protrusions from the inside out. When the oil sump was removed, damaged connecting rod ends and a large amount of metal debris were discovered.
Maintenance Issue
The pilot reported that the oil filter element had not been cut and examined at the last oil change, contrary to Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 480F.