Piper PA 32-300 accident near Hinesville, Georgia, December 14, 2017
On December 14, 2017 at about 1:54 pm local time, a 1975 Piper PA 32-300, registered N4326X, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Hinesville, Georgia (Wright Aaf (Fort Stewart)/Midc airport). It was a personal 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 total loss of engine power due to the failure of a connecting rod.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 14, 2017 · about 1:54 pm local time
- Place
- Hinesville, Georgia · Wright Aaf (Fort Stewart)/Midc · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 32-300 301, built 1975 · all PA 32-300s on the register
- Registration
- N4326X · no longer on the register · serial 32-7640010
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while on final approach for landing, he felt a shudder followed by a loud bang. Immediately after, the windscreen was covered in oil and the engine lost all power. The airplane impacted trees about 2 miles short of the runway. Examination of the engine revealed a large hole in the crankcase above the No. 4 cylinder. Further examination revealed that one connecting rod bolt and the connecting rod cap were missing, and the connecting rod was not attached to the crankshaft. About 6 inches of the camshaft was also missing. The remaining components of the connecting rod, piston assembly, and pieces of connecting rod bearing were examined; all of the discernible fracture surfaces exhibited features consistent with overstress. Extensive postfracture damage to the recovered pieces precluded the determination of any preexisting damage. Based upon the lack of available evidence (the missing connecting rod cap and rod bolt), the cause of the connecting rod failure 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
- Uncontained engine failure during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 190 hours in all; 90 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 190 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,664.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 7, 2017
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 (piston); 1,603 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MHP Metter GA at 1:15 pm
- Destination: LHW Hinesville GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24R, 6,505 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 1:56 pm from KLHW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on July 9, 2020. 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 | PDF, 17 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector Post-accident Exam | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Inspector Post-accident Exam | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photos | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.