Piper PA28R Safety Record

The inadequate torquing of anchored-thru and free-thru studs during installation of the No. 2 cylinder, resulting in their fatigue fracture and subsequent total loss of engine power. Contributing to the undershoot landing was the pilot’s failure to divert to closer airports than the original diversion airport after experiencing engine performance issues.

The flight instructor’s failure to raise the landing gear using the alternate system, which resulted in a reduced climb rate and impact with an obstacle. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s lack of understanding of the backup landing gear extender system.

Installation of an incorrect engine oil drain valve, which resulted in damage to the valve during landing gear retraction and subsequent engine failure due to oil starvation. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to comply with the Airworthiness Directive regarding the engine oil drain valve.

The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed before attempting the takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in the airplane being unable to sustain flight.

Maintenance personnel’s incorrect installation of the No. 3 cylinder’s hydraulic valve tappet plunger, which resulted in a failure of the No. 3 cylinder’s intake valve and the subsequent partial loss of engine power.

The pilot's improper decision to continue a takeoff with a partial loss of engine power that occurred early in the takeoff roll. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined because postaccident fire damage to the engine precluded an examination.

The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power during approach. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. Factors in the accident were: the pilot's lack of qualification in the aircraft; the FAA pilot certification system's failure to transfer the medical limitations imposed on the pilot to his private pilot certificate; the pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight fuel planning/decisions that caused the aircraft to arrive with a critically low fuel state, which resulted in a momentary loss of power due to an unporting of the fuel tank supply pickup at a critical time in the go-around; and, the maintenance facilities' failure to properly connect the landing gear indicator circuit breaker to the bus pane.