MARYSVILLE, WA, USA
N7759P
PIPER PA24-180
A PIPER PA 24 IMPACTED THE TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING, AFTER A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE ON CLIMBOUT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACCESSARY DRIVE GEAR WAS LOOSE ON THE END OF THE CRANKSHAFT, AND WAS THEREFORE NOT DRIVING THE ACCESSARY SECTION. THE AIRCRAFT HAD EXPERIENCED A PROPELLER STRIKE AT AN EARLIER DATE, AND THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE TEXTRON LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN WERE NOT FOLLOWED WHEN THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE BULLETIN CALLED FOR A NEW STYLE DRIVE GEAR AND GEAR RETAINING BOLT, BUT THE OLD STYLE PARTS WERE INSTALLED INSTEAD. ACCORDING TO LYCOMING, THE NEW PARTS MUST BE USED IN ORDER TO INSURE THAT THE GEAR SEATS ON THE CRANKSHAFT MOUNTING FACE, AND DOES NOT WORK LOOSE DURING ENGINE OPERATION.
THE SLIPPAGE OF THE ACCESSARY DRIVE GEAR DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. FACTORS INCLUDE A FORCED LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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