Accident Piper PA-28R-200 N2226T, Monday 31 March 1997

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Date:	Monday 31 March 1997
Time:	09:39 LT
Type:	Piper PA-28R-200
Owner/operator:	Leading Edge Aviation, Inc.
Registration:	N2226T
MSN:	28R-7135171
Year of manufacture:	1971
Total airframe hrs:	5480 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming IO-360-C1C
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Continental, AZ - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Training
Departure airport:	Tucson, AZ (KTUS)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The airplane lost engine oil pressure followed by seizure of the engine. The flight instructor attempted to glide to a nearby private strip but had insufficient altitude and elected to land gear up on rough level terrain. Evidence of detonation was found in the number 2 cylinder. The number 2 piston was damaged and aluminum from the piston restricted the flow of oil. The number 2 piston rod bearing failed as a result of loss of lubrication. One of the bolts to the number 2 piston rod cap broke, jamming the rotation of the crankshaft. The reason for the detonation in the number 2 cylinder could not be determined.

Probable Cause: loss of engine power as a result of detonation in the number 2 cylinder for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the unsuitable nature of the forced landing area.

Accident investigation: