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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 11, 1994 · Aerosport Quail · N10JB

Waynesboro, MS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 11, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Waynesboro, MS
Aircraft
Aerosport Quail
Tail Number
N10JB
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA94LA194

THE EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE HAD JUST REACHED CRUISE ALTITUDE WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A CORNFIELD AND THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT HAD SEIZED DUE TO THE CRANKSHAFT HAVING NO END PLAY, AS REQUIRED. THE CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARING HAD ALSO FAILED ALLOWING THE DOWEL RODS TO SCORE INTO THE CRANKSHAFT. THE LOGBOOKS WERE INCOMPLETE; THE PERSON WHO INSTALLED THE CRANKSHAFT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

NTSB Probable Cause

AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE [OVERHAUL] OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT.

Full Narrative

On August 11, 1994, about 1630 central daylight time, an Aerosport Quail, homebuilt airplane, N10JB, registered to Henry W. Schmidt, crashed into a corn field after the engine quit while climbing to the traffic pattern at the Waynesboro Municipal Airport, Waynesboro, Mississippi. The flight was a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight in the local area and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private- rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight had originated about 15 minutes earlier from the Wayneboro, Mississippi Airport. Examination of the wreckage by FAA personnel revealed no signs of rotational damage on the propeller, and when it was rotated by hand, travel was limited to about 45 degrees either direction. The conversion Volkswagen engine was removed and transported to a local shop for teardown. The teardown revealed that the crankshaft had been installed by an unknown person without the required end play. Without the end play the main bearing failed and the dowel rods scored into the crankshaft.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerosport Quail
Tail NumberN10JB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · CONVERSION · Reciprocating · 36
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 6 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data