Piper PA-28RT-201 accident near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 9, 2006
On April 9, 2006 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-28RT-201, registered N901AV, was substantially damaged in an accident near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Northeast Philadelphia Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A fatigue failure of the number 3 cylinder attachment studs, which resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 9, 2006 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Northeast Philadelphia Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28RT-201 · all PA-28RT-201s on the register
- Registration
- N901AV · registry record · serial 28R-8118029
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff, the pilot heard a loud noise and the engine began to vibrate "severely." The pilot realized that it would not be possible to return to the airport, and elected to land straight ahead. The airplane came to rest approximately 500-700 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine's number 3 cylinder had separated from the engine case. Examination of the number 3 cylinder revealed that it had separated from the engine due to fatigue of the cylinder attachment studs and both through bolts. The fatigue initiated in the lower aft stud and progressed to the other studs and bolts. The engine had accumulated 1,407 total hours of operation since its most recent overhaul.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 308 hours in all; 29 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 168 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO 360-C1C6 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Northeast Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: PNE Philadelphia PA at 2:30 pm
- Destination: N87 Robbinsville NJ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 pm from PNE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.