NAKNEK, AK, USA
N4080W
PIPER PA-32-300
WHILE CRUISING AT ABOUT 2000 FT, THE TOP ENG COWLING CAME OFF, RUPTURING AN ENG OIL LINE & BREAKING A HOLE IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. OIL THEN COVERED THE WINDSHIELD. DUE TO THE LOSS OF OIL, THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE ENG & LANDED ON A BEACH. DURING THE LANDING ON SOFT TERRAIN, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PLT SUSPECTED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT COWLING LATCH HAD FAILED. HE STATED THAT IT HAD HEEN REPLACED ABOUT 10 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAD CONDUCTED A THOROUGH PREFLT & ALL FASTENERS WERE SECURED PRIOR TO THE FLT. HOWEVER, THE CONDITION OF THE FASTENER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED SINCE THE COWLING WAS NOT RECOVERED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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