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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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April 10, 1993 · Taylorcraft BL-65 · N29553

Spokane, WA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 10, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Spokane, WA
Aircraft
Taylorcraft BL-65
Tail Number
N29553
Operator
Murphy Vaugh E
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA93LA092

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT TO LAND DUE TO BUILDINGS AND POWER LINES IN HIS CLIMBOUT FLIGHT PATH. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT 'DUE TO THE TIGHTNESS OF THE TURN TO MISS AN AIRPORT BUILDING THE AIRPLANE LOST SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED AND STALLED.' SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE SEAT HAD FAILED AND NO COMPRESSION COULD BE ACHIEVED FROM THE CYLINDER.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE SEAT AND THE INADVERTENT STALLING OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE BUILDINGS AND POWER LINES.

Full Narrative

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT TO LAND DUE TO BUILDINGS AND POWER LINES IN HIS CLIMBOUT FLIGHT PATH. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT 'DUE TO THE TIGHTNESS OF THE TURN TO MISS AN AIRPORT BUILDING THE AIRPLANE LOST SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED AND STALLED.' SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE SEAT HAD FAILED AND NO COMPRESSION COULD BE ACHIEVED FROM THE CYLINDER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:55 PDT
Nearest AirportFelts Field (0nm N)
Runway21
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTaylorcraft BL-65
Tail NumberN29553
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMurphy Vaugh E
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-145-B2 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 21 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data