DES MOINES, IA, USA
N1654H
PIPER PA32R300
THE ACFT ENG BEGAN TO 'SHUDDER BADLY' UPON REACHING A CRUISE ALT OF 3500 FT MSL SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG COURSE REVERSAL TO RETURN TO THE ARPT BUT REPORTED TO ATC HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUTSIDE THE ACFT BECAUSE OIL WAS SMEARED ON THE ACFT. THE ENG LOST TOTAL PWR AFTER THE PLT COMPLETED THE TURN. THE PLT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ON A FARM DURING WHICH THE LANDING GEAR SEPARATED UPON CONTACTING THE LIP OF A FENCEROW. THE ACFT THEN TRAVELED THRU A BARBED WIRE FENCE WHERE THE WINGS WERE DAMAGED BY FENCE POSTS. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF FAILED ENG COMPONENTS REVEALED 2 CONNECTING RODS FAILED FROM HIGH STRESS FATIGUE. THREE CAM FOLLOWERS SHOWED THE HEADS WERE SEVERLY WORN AND SUFFERED HEAVY SPALLING DAMAGE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
