PA28 pilot experiences sudden roughness approaching his destination airport. With ATC assistance a n...

Attributes
ACN	907797
Time
Date	201009
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	None
Component
Aircraft Component	Reciprocating Engine Assembly
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Commercial
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20 Flight Crew Total 800 Flight Crew Type 5
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

Narrative:

During descent approximately 15 miles to the south of the airport sudden engine vibration and roughness was heard and felt. Nothing out of the ordinary was observed on the engine instruments. After compliance with the aircraft's checklist; ATC was notified of our situation. After requesting priority into the airport a safe landing was made with no injuries or further aircraft damage. Inspection of the aircraft revealed the #3 cylinder exhaust manifold had cracked and came apart during flight. Only a small section of the exhaust stack remained which was found lodged in between the remaining exhaust outlets in the bottom of the engine compartment. Cause of the problem was stress cracks in the exhaust manifold and may be prevented in the future by visually and physically inspecting the exhaust system before flight and during normal inspection.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA28 pilot experiences sudden roughness approaching his destination airport. With ATC assistance a normal landing ensues. Post flight inspection reveals a cracked and nearly missing number 3 exhaust manifold.

Narrative: During descent approximately 15 miles to the south of the airport sudden engine vibration and roughness was heard and felt. Nothing out of the ordinary was observed on the engine instruments. After compliance with the aircraft's checklist; ATC was notified of our situation. After requesting priority into the airport a safe landing was made with no injuries or further aircraft damage. Inspection of the aircraft revealed the #3 cylinder exhaust manifold had cracked and came apart during flight. Only a small section of the exhaust stack remained which was found lodged in between the remaining exhaust outlets in the bottom of the engine compartment. Cause of the problem was stress cracks in the exhaust manifold and may be prevented in the future by visually and physically inspecting the exhaust system before flight and during normal inspection.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.