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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 7, 1993 · Cassutt III M · N250P

Corona, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Corona, CA
Aircraft
Cassutt III M
Tail Number
N250P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX93LA207

THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON TAKEOFF. THE PILOT EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE TURN AND LANDED ADJACENT TO THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY. THE ENGINE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED ONE MAGNETO WAS INOPERABLE. THE ENGINE VALVE SPRINGS WERE FROM A DIFFERENT MODEL ENGINE.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot improper maintenance modification and total failure of the magneto.

Full Narrative

On May 7, 1993, at 1544 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cassutt III M, N250P, lost control and collided with level terrain after takeoff from the Corona Municipal Airport, Corona, California. The pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane was destroyed. The certificated commercial pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The accident was witnessed by a FAA Accident Prevention Counselor (APC). According to the APC the airplane was observed turning when it appeared to stall. The airplane descended until colliding with the ground. Friends of the pilot indicated that the pilot complained of chest pains days before the accident. According to the FAA, the pilot's doctor indicated that the pilot had suffered recent heart damage. On September 2, 1993, Safety Board investigators examined the engine at Corona Airport, Corona, California. The following are the results of the examination: EXTERNAL EXAMINATION The engine was removed from the aircraft before the examination by an unknown party and the following had been removed: the propeller, magnetos, exhaust system and parts of the fuel and electrical systems. There was no evidence of impact damage to the engine casing and there was no data plate on the engine. The valve covers and carburetor had been removed and reinstalled prior to the examination by an unknown party. Spark Plugs Six of the spark plugs were AC plugs; four of which were S-88 and the remaining two were unknown. The other two spark plugs were Champion M41E and were installed in the top position of cylinders number one and two. All spark plug electrodes showed signs of normal erosion with the center ground electrodes being about half of their original thickness. Also, wet, oily deposits were noted on the spark plugs. Valve Covers Continuity of the gear and valve train assembly was established. Compression was evident during the continuity crankshaft rotation and there was no visual sign of valve leakage. The valve covers exhibited evidence of circular marks created by the valve rocker shafts. ACCESSORIES Magnetos Two Bendix S4LN-21 magnetos, serial numbers 587045 and 562364, were given to the investigator by a friend of the pilot who said that these magnetos had come off of the engine. The magnetos engine position could not be determined due to the absence of their respective wiring harnesses. Magneto, serial number 587045, produced spark upon rotation of its drive shaft; the remaining magneto did not produce spark. DISASSEMBLY Cylinders The chrome cylinders contained a small amount of oil that was light brown in color and water contamination was noted. Safety Board investigators did not determine the origin of the contaminates. Camshaft and Valve Springs The pilot's friend reported that Continental O-200 camshaft and valve springs were installed on the engine. A representative of Teledyne Continental said that replacement of the original camshaft and valve springs by the O-200 series would not adversely effect the engine operation. However, the O-200 camshaft and valve springs are not approved by the manufacture for installation in the C-85 engine. Valve Seats The intake valve seats exhibited evidence of carbon deposits. Pistons The pistons exhibited evidence of triangular patterned carbon deposits directly opposite of the bottom plugs.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:44 PDT
Nearest AirportCORONA (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCassutt III M
Tail NumberN250P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 7 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data