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NTSB Report

August 19, 1995 · Cessna 188B · N731VX

Raeford, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 19, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Raeford, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 188B
Tail Number
N731VX
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL95LA164

During the ground roll of the second takeoff, the engine lost power, and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane rolled off the departure end of the sod runway and collided with trees. Examination of the engine assembly disclosed that the #1 cylinder head had separated. The fracture examination revealed a fatigue failure of the top thread of the cylinder head. According to the engine manufacturer, this fatigue failure mode has been seen in previous cylinder failures associated with the loss of cylinder head and barrel abutment seal.

NTSB Probable Cause

the loss of the abutment seal which resulted in the fatigue failure of the cylinder head.

Full Narrative

On August 19, 1995, at 0830 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 188B, N731VX, collided with trees during an aborted takeoff from a private airstrip in Raeford, North Carolina. The aerial application flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The initial notification of the occurrence reported that the airplane had sustained minor damage, however, a subsequent report on August 31, 1995, upgraded the aircraft damage to substantial. The pilot was not injured during the accident. The accident occurred during a takeoff from the sod airstrip. According to the operator, the pilot had completed an earlier flight, and had returned to the airstrip for a second load of chemicals. During the ground roll phase of the second takeoff attempt, the engine lost power, and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane rolled off the departure end of the sod runway, and collided with a stand of trees. An examination of the engine assembly disclosed that the right rear chromed cylinder head had blown off. The examination further revealed that fatigue cracking was evident in the top thread of the aluminum cylinder head. According to Teledyne Continental Motors metallurgist, this fatigue failure mode was consistent with the loss of abutment seal between the steel cylinder barrel and the aluminum head. The metallurgist also stated that the loss of abutment seal normally occurs with cylinders that have been chromed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 EDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length1900 ft
Runway Width250 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 188B
Tail NumberN731VX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 4 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data