Probable cause
The failure of the No. 6 piston due to detonation and the subsequent interruption of the engine oil flow that resulted from the piston fragments.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, upon leveling the airplane at the assigned cruise altitude, he heard three loud "bangs" and that the engine oil pressure and temperature indications exceeded the gauge limits. He was unable to maintain altitude and subsequently executed a forced landing to a field. A postaccident engine examination revealed that a portion of the No. 6 piston face had separated along the perimeter due to detonation within the cylinder during operation. The No. 5 connecting rod had separated near the crankshaft journal, and the lower portion of the engine crankcase exhibited a hole immediately above the oil sump. Metallic fragments were recovered from the oil sump, oil sump screen, and oil filter. Piston fragments likely interrupted the oil flow within the engine, which resulted in the failure of the No. 5 connecting rod.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA397 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 5, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Nappanee, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- Nappanee Municipal (C03)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA 46-350P
- N-number
- N502EU
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.