ZANESVILLE, OH, USA
N41873
PIPER PA-28R-200
AFTER DEPARTING ZANESVILLE, OH, THE ACFT WAS AT 2500 FT MSL WHEN THE ENG BEGAN TO 'KNOCK'. THE COCKPIT FILED WITH SMOKE & THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE OIL. THE PLT TURNED BACK TO LAND AT THE ARPT. HE REPORTED THAT THE ENG CONTINUED TO RUN UNTIL THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY ON A DOWNWIND FOR RWY 22. AT THAT POINT, THE ENG FAILED. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING APRX 1000 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. THE GROUND CONDITIONS WERE SOFT & THE GEAR COLLIDED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE #3 PISTON HAD FAILED & THE #3 CYLINDER WAS HEAVILY GROOVED. THE #3 CYLINDER (CHROME) HAD BEEN INSTALLED APPRX 40 FT HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ONE OF THE RINGS IN THE #3 PISTON WAS CHROME. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, CHROME PLATED RINGS SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN CHROME PLATED CYLINDERS. AN UNAUTHORIZED, CHAMPION EM-41E, HOT RUNNING SPARK PLUG WAS USED IN THE #3 CYLINDER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE INITIAL PISTON FAILURE WAS A DOME BURN THRU FROM DETONATION ON PRE-IGNITION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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