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NTSB Report
August 6, 1991 · Clifton Dixon Polliwagen · N256PW
Chesterfield, VA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Chesterfield, VA
Aircraft
Clifton Dixon Polliwagen
Tail Number
N256PW
Operator
Clifton E Dixon
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO91LA074
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING ONE OF A SERIES OF FLIGHT TESTS OF HIS NEW HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT. AFTER PERFORMING HIS PRETAKEOFF ENGINE RUN-UP, HE STARTED HIS TAKE-OFF ROLL. THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE SEEMED BETTER THAN USUAL UP TO AN ALTITUDE OF 200 FEET. THE ENGINE THEN STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DESCEND. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SOME TREE TOPS AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND, COMING TO REST, INVERTED. A POSTFLIGHT INVESTIGATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER THREE EXHAUST VALVE SPRING HAD SLIPPED FROM ITS POSITION CAUSING A PARTIAL REDUCTION OF POWER.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CAUSED BY A MISALIGNED ROCKER ARM SPRING RESULTING IN A REDUCTION OF EXHAUST VALVE OPENING.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING ONE OF A SERIES OF FLIGHT TESTS OF HIS NEW HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT. AFTER PERFORMING HIS PRETAKEOFF ENGINE RUN-UP, HE STARTED HIS TAKE-OFF ROLL. THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE SEEMED BETTER THAN USUAL UP TO AN ALTITUDE OF 200 FEET. THE ENGINE THEN STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DESCEND. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SOME TREE TOPS AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND, COMING TO REST, INVERTED. A POSTFLIGHT INVESTIGATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER THREE EXHAUST VALVE SPRING HAD SLIPPED FROM ITS POSITION CAUSING A PARTIAL REDUCTION OF POWER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportChesterfield City (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftClifton Dixon Polliwagen
Tail NumberN256PW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorClifton E Dixon
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · 411/914 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 8 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC