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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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March 15, 1988 · Beech A36 · N8136R

Cherokee, IA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 15, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Cherokee, IA
Aircraft
Beech A36
Tail Number
N8136R
Operator
Dga
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC88LA061

THE PLT STATED, THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST SUBSTANTIAL PWR. AFTERWARDS THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. THE PIC REVERSED HIS COURSE WITH THE INTENT TO LAND ON THE DEPARTURE ARPT. WHEN HE FELT HE HAD THE LDG FIELD MADE, HE ATTEMPTED TO LOWER THE LDG GEAR. THE RED GEAR UNSAFE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO LWR THE GEAR USING THE EMERGENCY CRANK DOWN PROCEDURES. HE FAILED TO GET FULL GEAR EXTENSION BEFORE STRIKING THE TERRAIN SHORT OF THE INTENDED LDG FIELD. POSTFLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED A BROKEN EXHAUST PIPE FLANGE ON #5 CYLINDER, ALLOWING EXHAUST GAS TO MELT AN ALTERNATOR WIRE, AND REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TURBOCHARGER ON THE MODIFIED ENGINE INSTALLATION.

Full Narrative

THE PLT STATED, THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST SUBSTANTIAL PWR. AFTERWARDS THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. THE PIC REVERSED HIS COURSE WITH THE INTENT TO LAND ON THE DEPARTURE ARPT. WHEN HE FELT HE HAD THE LDG FIELD MADE, HE ATTEMPTED TO LOWER THE LDG GEAR. THE RED GEAR UNSAFE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO LWR THE GEAR USING THE EMERGENCY CRANK DOWN PROCEDURES. HE FAILED TO GET FULL GEAR EXTENSION BEFORE STRIKING THE TERRAIN SHORT OF THE INTENDED LDG FIELD. POSTFLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED A BROKEN EXHAUST PIPE FLANGE ON #5 CYLINDER, ALLOWING EXHAUST GAS TO MELT AN ALTERNATOR WIRE, AND REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TURBOCHARGER ON THE MODIFIED ENGINE INSTALLATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A36
Tail NumberN8136R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDga
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 10 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data