Factual Information
On 21 March 2020, at approximately 1:50 PM, a Piper Aztec PA-23-250 aircraft, United States registration N14178, ditched in shallow waters near a beach at Lower Bogue, Eleuthera, Bahamas. The private flight departed North Eleuthera International Airport (MYEH) with destination New Bight Airport (MYCB), Cat Island, Bahamas, carrying the pilot and two passengers under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
Accident Details
The pilot reported that shortly after departure, while climbing through 1,200 feet, the left engine began running rough. This was followed by a bang and then a much louder bang, after which flames were observed coming from the inboard left engine cowling. The pilot secured the left engine by shutting off power and fuel supply and attempted to return to MYEH for runway 07. However, the fire intensified when turning back, and realizing he could not reach the airport, the pilot chose a nearby beach and executed a landing in shallow waters approximately 250 feet from the shoreline. The ditching occurred about 2 nautical miles from the threshold of Runway 07.
Occupant and Damage Information
The pilot and both passengers successfully exited the aircraft in waist-deep water and received assistance from local police and residents. No injuries were reported among the occupants. The aircraft sustained substantial damage from the engine fire and impact forces during the ditching. Observed damage included severe fire damage to the left engine, damage to both wings and the underside of the fuselage, and post-crash damage due to saltwater submersion.
Investigation Findings
Investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) were dispatched to the scene the following day. Initial assessment indicated a catastrophic cylinder failure on the left engine, possibly the initial cause of the fire. The left engine was sent to Certified Engines Unlimited Inc. in Pembroke Pines, Florida, for analysis, and components were further examined at Lycoming's Materials Lab in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Examination revealed that the #3 cylinder assembly had experienced a catastrophic failure, with engine block attaching hardware failing. The connecting rod for the #3 cylinder had separated from the crankshaft and was found in the oil pan. One of the two connecting rod bearing cap bolts had fractured, showing signs of bending overload with no fatigue. The fractured connecting rod bolt failed in bending under sudden overload. The connecting rod itself was fractured in the bushing bore region, but fracture surfaces were too damaged to identify the failure mode. Additionally, the connecting rod bushing was made of a bronze alloy that did not conform to Lycoming's design. The most recent engine overhaul had been performed in the field by Certified Engines Unlimited, not by Lycoming. Weather at the time was visual meteorological conditions (VMC) and was not considered a factor.