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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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August 10, 1999 · William John Schulz WJS Jaybird WJS Jaybir · N735BS

Tangerine, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 10, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tangerine, FL
Aircraft
William John Schulz WJS Jaybird WJS Jaybir
Tail Number
N735BS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA99LA228

The pilot stated he was enroute to Mid Florida Airport, Eustis, Florida, when a partial power loss and the inability to hold altitude necessitated a precautionary landing. The pilot said he executed a landing with a left quartering tailwind due to utility lines and trees blocking an approach into the wind. The aircraft bounced, and on the second bounce the right landing gear bent and the wind lifted the left wing. The aircraft slid, and slowly nosed over, coming to rest upside down, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. According to the pilot, the reason for engine power loss was due to insufficient torque on the jam nut exhaust valve adjuster (rocker arm) to number 4 cylinder.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper torqueing of a rocker arm adjusting jam nut, that resulted in the adjuster loosening, and a partial loss of engine power. This resulted in the pilot making an off airport precautionary landing and subsequent nose over, during which the aircraft received substantial damage.

Full Narrative

On August 10, 1999, about 1420 eastern daylight time, a William John Schulz WJS Jaybird, N735BS, registered to a private owner, operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while attempting a precautionary landing in an open field in Tangerine, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Bob White Field, Zellwood, Florida, about 1400, the same day. The pilot stated that he was en route to Mid Florida Airport, Eustis, Florida, when a partial power loss and the inability to hold altitude necessitated a precautionary landing on a mowed lawn. The pilot said he executed a landing with a left quartering tailwind, due to utility lines and trees blocking an approach into the wind. The aircraft bounced, and on the second bounce the right landing gear bent and the wind lifted the left wing. The aircraft slid, and slowly nosed over, coming to rest upside down. The pilot further stated that the reason for engine power loss was due to his improper maintenance/installation by not having sufficient torque on the jam nut exhaust valve adjuster (rocker arm) to number 4 cylinder.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 EDT
Nearest Airport1nm NNE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWilliam John Schulz WJS Jaybird WJS Jaybir
Tail NumberN735BS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · TYPE 1 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 11 kt, gusting 16 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3500 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:58
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data