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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 24, 2000 · Mcclish FUNK B85C · N24120

Gardner, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 24, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Gardner, KS
Aircraft
Mcclish FUNK B85C
Tail Number
N24120
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI00LA173

The accident occurred during the aircraft's maiden flight. The pilot reported that after takeoff while on downwind leg, the engine 'stopped immediately.' A forced landing was made in a water saturated bean field during which the airplane nosed over. Inspection of the engine revealed the thrust bearings were improperly installed on an improperly located locator pin in the engine case. The dislocated pin resulted in the bearing half being askew which resulted in a subsequent loss of lubrication.

NTSB Probable Cause

an improper modification to the engine which allowed a bearing to be misaligned, thus restricted the flow of oil through the engine. A factor associated with the accident was the wet field in which the forced landing was made.

Full Narrative

On June 24, 2000, at 1710 central daylight time, a McClish Funk B85C, N24120, nosed over during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while on downwind at the Gardner Municipal Airport, Gardner, Kansas. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot reported the accident occurred during the aircraft's maiden flight. The flight had originated just prior to the accident. The pilot reported that the accident occurred on the maiden flight for the airplane. He stated he departed runway 35 at the Gardner Municipal Airport and climbed to 400 feet above ground level. He reported that everything was normal at this point. He then turned downwind and was about halfway down the downwind leg when the engine "stopped immediately." He reported, "It made a metal sound just as the engine stopped." The pilot located a bean field in which to make a forced landing. He reported, "I touched down between thirty and forty miles per hour. The bean field was very saturated with water from heavy rains during the week. I rolled about fifteen feet. The mud on the bean field resulted in rapid deceleration causing the left main gear to collapse. Then the airplane sank very deep into the mud causing the airplane to flip on its top." The airplane and engine were examined by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Kansas City, Missouri, Flight Standards District Office. The inspector reported, "It was determined that the thrust bearings had been improperly installed on an improperly located locator pin in the engine case. At some unknown time, the locator pin hole was redrilled in the wrong location and a pin installed. ... The dislocated pin caused the bearing half to ride askew, not flush with the parting surface of the case. The mating bearing half was located on its pin properly, causing an interference between the bearing ends. When the case halves were forced together under torque from the case bolts, the bearings shifted against their respective pins and were swelled out at the locator cutouts. ... This removed the required clearance of the crankshaft thrust boss to thrust bearing surface. Without this clearance, lubrication of the thrust bearing was interrupted."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:10 CDT
Nearest AirportGARDNER (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcclish FUNK B85C
Tail NumberN24120
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data