Piper PA-28-180 accident near Ocilla, Georgia, June 13, 2012
On June 13, 2012 at about 2:15 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N9238J, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Ocilla, Georgia. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A failure of the No. 2 cylinder connecting rod due to a lack of lubrication, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 13, 2012 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Ocilla, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N9238J · no longer on the register · serial 28-3312
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was flying the airplane under the conditions specified in a Special Flight Permit to reposition it for a potential sale. The airplane and engine were inspected by a certificated mechanic in accordance with the permit requirements before the flight. During cruise flight, the engine began to “sputter.” The pilot turned to find a landing field, then heard a loud noise, and the engine lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a cotton field; however, the landing gear collapsed in the soft soil and the airframe sustained substantial damage. Subsequent examination of the engine revealed puncture holes in the upper and lower sections of the engine case. The No. 2 cylinder connecting rod was separated from the crankshaft. The recovered parts of the crankshaft showed indications of heat distress and a lack of lubrication. The Nos. 3 and 4 cylinder connecting rods and rod bearings were still connected to the crankshaft; however their failure appeared imminent because of a severe lack of lubrication. All other crankshaft bearings appeared normal. The No. 1 cylinder connecting rod and bearing were normal in appearance with the exception of an overload fracture near the piston end. It is apparent that the No. 2 cylinder connecting rod end failed first due to a lack of lubrication, and the rotating and moving parts fractured the No. 1 cylinder connecting rod end, resulting in complete engine stoppage.
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 emergency descent
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Oil › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng oil sys › Malfunction
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 340 hours in all; 335 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,582 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 29, 2007; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A3A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 8A3 Livingston TN at 11:00 am
- Destination: CLW Clearwater FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 2:15 pm from MGR, 42 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.