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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 1, 1999 · Taylorcraft F-21 · N2005J

Houlton, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 1, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Houlton, WI
Aircraft
Taylorcraft F-21
Tail Number
N2005J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI00LA034

The pilot reported, 'The engine developed a bad noise and vibration so I turned it off and looked for a place to land.' He landed in a farm field and the landing gear collapsed during rollout. The inspection of the engine revealed the #1 connecting rod was detached from the crankshaft and the connecting rod cap was missing. One rod cap bolt was intact although bent, and no nut was found on the bolt. The other rod cap bolt was broken with the nut portion missing. The #1 cylinder crankshaft journal was inspected. No discoloring, significant scoring, or other damage was noted. The rod bolts and nuts for cylinders 2, 3, and 4 were inspected for proper installation and torque. All nuts appeared to be properly installed. The nuts were torque checked at 40 lbs. No nuts moved at this torque setting. The overhauled engine had been installed on the airplane on July 15, 1998. The airplane had been flown approximately 50 hours since the major overhaul.

NTSB Probable Cause

the mechanic failed to torque the rod cap bolt during the major engine overhaul. Factors relating to the accident included the rough field and the collapsed landing gear.

Full Narrative

On December 1, 1999, at 1105 central standard time, a Taylorcraft F-21, N2005J, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing in a farm field near Houlton, Wisconsin, after the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed Lake Elmo (21D), Minnesota, at 1040, on a local flight. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he was returning to land at Lake Elmo. He reported, "The engine developed a bad noise and vibration so I turned it off and looked for a place to land. I was in farm country. Some smoke came into the cabin. I picked a clear field and landed wings level at stall speeds. The field was very rough. The wheels folded up and I slid 60 feet. Got out of the airplane after turning off the master." An Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration inspected the airplane. He reported the inspection of the engine revealed that the case was broken in the area of the number #1 cylinder. He reported, "The #1 connecting rod was detached from the crankshaft and the connecting rod cap was missing. One rod cap bolt was intact although bent, [and] no nut was found on the bolt. The other rod cap bolt was broken with the nut portion missing. The #1 cylinder crankshaft journal was inspected. No discoloring was noted. No significant scoring or other damage was noted." The inspector reported, "The rod bolts and nuts for cylinders 2, 3, and 4 were inspected for proper installation and torque. All nuts appeared to be properly installed. The nuts were torque checked at 40 lbs. No nuts moved at this torque setting." The overhauled engine had been installed on the airplane on July 15, 1998. The airplane had been flown approximately 50 hours since the major overhaul. The airplane received an annual inspection on July 7, 1999. It had flown approximately 9 hours since the annual inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:05 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTaylorcraft F-21
Tail NumberN2005J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 118
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 2 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data