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August 28, 2000 · Widner Pietenpol Aircamper Pietenpol · N89JW

Andover, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 28, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Andover, MN
Aircraft
Widner Pietenpol Aircamper Pietenpol
Tail Number
N89JW
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI00LA274

The airplane was destroyed during a forced landing after a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The pilot said that, at about 2 hours into the flight, he, "...heard, or felt a single jolt or retort. The plane continued to function normally. A short time later it began to smell 'hot' in the cockpit. Gauges were normal... Almost immediately I noted my cylinder head temperature had climbed to 400 [degrees] F." The pilot said that he subsequently saw blue smoke from the left side of the engine and it began to run rough. The pilot attempted to land in a "weed" field. He said that during the landing he, "...was approaching the trees at the end of the field so I side slipped to the ground striking the [right] wing, then the nose and coming to rest facing the direction I came from." The pilot reported that subsequent to the accident, he found that the number 4 cylinder and piston were damaged. He found the cylinder cracked and the piston skirt broken. He reported the extent of the damage to the aircraft as "destroyed". The pilot reported no other anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The trees and the unsuitable terrain for landing encountered during the forced landing. Factors were the side slip to avoid the trees initiated by the pilot, the fractured piston, and the cracked cylinder.

Full Narrative

On August 27, 2000, at 1927 central daylight time, an amateur-built Widner Pietenpol Aircamper, N89JW, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed during a forced landing, near Andover, Minnesota, following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Alexandria, Minnesota at 1720, and was en route to the Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE), Minneapolis, Minnesota. In a written statement, the pilot said that, at about 2 hours into the flight, he, "...heard, or felt a single jolt or retort. The plane continued to function normally. A short time later it began to smell 'hot' in the cockpit. Gauges were normal... Almost immediately I noted my cylinder head temperature had climbed to 400 [degrees] F." The pilot said that he subsequently saw blue smoke from the left side of the engine and it began to run rough. The pilot attempted to land in a "weed" field about 10 miles northwest of ANE. He said that during the landing he, "...was approaching the trees at the end of the field so I side slipped to the ground striking the [right] wing, then the nose and coming to rest facing the direction I came from." The pilot reported that subsequent to the accident, he found that the number 4 cylinder and piston were damaged. He found the cylinder cracked and the piston skirt broken. He reported the extent of the damage to the aircraft as "destroyed". The pilot reported no other anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:27 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWidner Pietenpol Aircamper Pietenpol
Tail NumberN89JW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsChevrolet · CORVAIR · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point17 C / 15 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data