Loss of engine power (total): Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six, N2242Z, accident occurred on June 1, 2026, near Branford, Connecticut

• Location: Branford, Connecticut 
• Accident Number: ERA25LA215 
• Date & Time: June 1, 2025, 10:28 Local 
• Registration: N2242Z 
• Aircraft: Piper PA32-300 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial
• Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total) 
• Injuries: 2 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200256/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200256

On June 1, 2025, at 1028 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA32-300 airplane, N2242Z, was involved in an accident near Branford, Connecticut. The private pilot/owner and the passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight

The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff the engine made a popping noise with a noticeable loss of engine thrust. The rpm gauge indicated “0” but the propeller continued to rotate. The pilot declared a MAYDAY and made a forced landing in the ocean. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft gear bolt was about 1/8th inch out from being seated on the crankshaft gear. The crankshaft gear bolt head was rounded, and the bottom threads of the bolt were damaged. The crankshaft gear was removed, and the alignment dowel was found sheared. Four teeth were also sheared from the oil adapter idler gear. Metallurgical examination of the fractured components determined they had fractured from shear overstress.

Per the engine maintenance log, at the last annual inspection (about 6 months prior to the accident), the engine had had accrued about 650 hours since it was overhauled. There were no entries in the maintenance records to indicate the crankshaft bolt had been removed, inspected, or modified since the engine had been overhauled. Based on the available information it is likely that when the engine was overhauled, the crankshaft gear bolt was not properly seated against the crankshaft gear, which resulted in the crankshaft gear eventually disengaging from the accessory gears leading to a total loss of engine power.

- Probable Cause: Maintenance personnel's improper installation and inspection of the crankshaft gear bolt during major overhaul, which resulted in the crankshaft gear disengaging from the accessory gears which led to a total loss of engine power.