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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 1, 1993 · Chance Vought F4U-4 · N68HP

Breckenridge, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 1, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Breckenridge, TX
Aircraft
Chance Vought F4U-4
Tail Number
N68HP
Operator
Pardue Howard E
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW93FA115

THE PILOT OF THE WWII VINTAGE MILITARY AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 5,000 FEET. THE PRESELECTED FORCED LANDING AREA WAS BEYOND THE GLIDING CAPABILITIES OF THE AIRPLANE, SO THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD IN A ROUGH AND UNEVEN FIELD. THE FUSELAGE WAS SEVERED AFT OF THE PILOT'S SEAT AND BOTH WINGS AND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE AIRPLANE WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY ANOMALIES THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED NORMAL ENGINE OPERATION

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING

Full Narrative

On April 1, 1993, at approximately 1540 central standard time, a Chance Vought F4U 4 airplane, N68HP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following the loss of engine power, near Breckenridge, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the pilot, nearly an hour after his departure, the airplane was climbing through 5,000 feet, when without warning, the engine loss power. The pilot stated that he selected a suitable forced landing area as he established the best glide speed and completed the emergency procedures in an attempt to regain power. The preselected forced landing area was beyond the reach of the airplane, so the pilot elected to land straight ahead in an open field. After impacting small trees, the airplane impacted in rough and uneven terrain, went through a fence post and a fence, crossed a two lane highway, coming to rest on the shoulder of the highway, with the right wing partially blocking the right lane. The fuselage was severed just aft of the pilot's seat. Additionally, the underside of the fuselage and both wings were heavily damaged.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:40 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChance Vought F4U-4
Tail NumberN68HP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPardue Howard E
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-2800-18W · Reciprocating · 2400
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 7 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data