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NTSB Report
February 7, 1992 · Aero Commander 500S · N725AC
Richmond Hts., OH
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 7, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Richmond Hts., OH
Aircraft
Aero Commander 500S
Tail Number
N725AC
Operator
Michael Stanton-Hicks
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC92FA055
THE PILOT HAD THE WASTE GATES ON THE TURBOCHARGES ADJUSTED AND WANTED TO TEST FLY THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED AND HAD REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 1000 FEET WHEN WITNESSES HEARD AN ENGINE SPUTTER. THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AND ENTER A NOSE LOW, LEFT SPIN BEFORE IMPACTING THE TERRAIN. A TEAR DOWN OF THE LEFT ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST VALVES IN CYLINDERS #3 AND #5 WERE BURNT THROUGH AT THE VALVE HEAD. THE #5 EXHAUST VALVE HAD A DEEP PREEXISTING DEEP MARK ON THE VALVE STEM. THE FAILURES OF BOTH VALVES WERE SUFFICENT ENOUGH TO CAUSE A POWER FAILURE IN THE LEFT ENGINE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT SPIN AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE TO ALLOW RECOVERY. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE; A POWER LOSS IN THE LEFT ENGINE AS RESULT OF THE EXHAUST VALVE FAILURES IN CYLINDERS #3 AND #5.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT HAD THE WASTE GATES ON THE TURBOCHARGES ADJUSTED AND WANTED TO TEST FLY THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED AND HAD REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 1000 FEET WHEN WITNESSES HEARD AN ENGINE SPUTTER. THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AND ENTER A NOSE LOW, LEFT SPIN BEFORE IMPACTING THE TERRAIN. A TEAR DOWN OF THE LEFT ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST VALVES IN CYLINDERS #3 AND #5 WERE BURNT THROUGH AT THE VALVE HEAD. THE #5 EXHAUST VALVE HAD A DEEP PREEXISTING DEEP MARK ON THE VALVE STEM. THE FAILURES OF BOTH VALVES WERE SUFFICENT ENOUGH TO CAUSE A POWER FAILURE IN THE LEFT ENGINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:01 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAero Commander 500S
Tail NumberN725AC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMichael Stanton-Hicks
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-E1B5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind260° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT