LAX91LA314

1991-07-15 · SO. LAKE TAHOE, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Aircraft involved

N646RL Piper PA28R-200 None

Probable cause & findings

ENGINE FAILUE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT RESULTING FROM FAILURE INDUCED BY A NON-METALLIC INCLUSION IN THE SHAFT.

Factual narrative

THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA, IN CRUISE FLIGHT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH AN AIRPORT AND DITCHED IN THE LAKE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT DISCLOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE FAILURE RESULTED FROM FATIGUE INDUCED BY A NON-METALLIC INCLUSION IN THE SHAFT. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1991_LAX91LA314.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

Search this event elsewhere

External sources are reported, not agency: signal that something happened, not fact about what happened.