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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

November 16, 1995 · Snow S2C · N1694S

Dufer, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 16, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Dufer, OR
Aircraft
Snow S2C
Tail Number
N1694S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA96LA020

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION SPRAY RUN, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND BACKFIRE. THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT PULLED THE AIRPLANE UP TO MISS A DITCH. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND THEN LANDED HARD. POSTCRASH INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A CRACK IN THE HEAD ON THE #5 CYLINDER.

NTSB Probable Cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. A FACTOR WAS THE EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID A DITCH.

Full Narrative

On November 15, 1995, at 1610 Pacific standard time, a Snow S2C, N1694S, experienced a loss of engine power during an aerial application flight. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with rough terrain near Dufer, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight had originated from Culver, Oregon, on November 15, 1995, at 1555. The pilot reported during an interview and subsequent written statement, that he was spraying a weed killer over a field at approximately ten feet above ground level, when the engine began to run rough and backfire. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude and the pilot initiated a forced landing to a field that was straight ahead and uphill. Prior to touch down, the pilot noticed a ditch and pulled up. The airplane stalled then landed hard. A post-crash inspection of the engine revealed a crack on the number five cylinder head. The crack travelled from the front to the rear spark plug hole. The pilot/owner reported that the engine had accumulated 950 hours since the last overhaul. Total time on the engine is unknown and a history on the cylinder is unknown.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSnow S2C
Tail NumberN1694S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · 1340 AN-1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 2 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 36 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data