Accident Piper PA-24 VH-COM, Tuesday 12 January 1988

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Date:	Tuesday 12 January 1988
Time:	15:40
Type:	Piper PA-24
Owner/operator:
Registration:	VH-COM
MSN:	24-97
Year of manufacture:	1958
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	St George, QLD - Australia
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	near Bollon, QLD
Destination airport:	YTWB
Investigating agency:	BASI
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The aircraft was cruising normally at 7000 feet when the engine failed without warning. The pilot carried out checks and attempted to restart the engine without success. During the ensuing forced landing the pilot prematurely turned off the master switch, therefore, the wheels did not extend when he selected gear down. The engine failure was caused by the separation of crankshaft idler gear teeth due to high cycle low stress fatigue which had initiated from pre-existing overload cracks at the base of the teeth.

Accident investigation: