Piper PA28 accident near Steele, Missouri, May 22, 2020
On May 22, 2020 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 1963 Piper PA28, registered N7355W, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Steele, Missouri. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of oil pressure for a reason that could not be determined leading to failure of the engine connecting rod.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 22, 2020 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Steele, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 180, built 1963 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N7355W · no longer on the register · serial 28-1235
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that during cruise flight, following a low oil pressure indication, the engine started sounding unusual, began shaking violently, and quit. He determined that he would not be able to glide to the nearest airport and executed a forced landing during which, the wing sustained substantial damage. A post-accident examination revealed that the No. 2 cylinder connecting rod was separated from the crankshaft and there was a large hole in the engine crankcase. Examination of the failed connecting rod components revealed that the connecting rod strap failed due to fatigue fractures in both arms of the strap. Fretting damage on the mating surface between the connecting rod and cap indicated movement at the joint. Additionally, there were circumferential marks on the connecting rod strap and galled bearing material indicating that the bearing had spun within the connecting rod. Based on the available information the failure of the connecting rod was likely precipitated by the loss of oil pressure, ultimately resulting in the failure of the connecting rod. The reason for the loss of oil pressure could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng oil sys › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 150 hours in all; 116 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 111 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 21, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 5, 2020
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A3A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HKA Blytheville AR at 6:00 pm
- Destination: POF Poplar Bluff MO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,000 ft; a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on February 24, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report 21-014 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photographs | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Excerpts from Airframe Logbook | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N7355W the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.