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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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July 7, 1988 · Cessna 175 · N6509E

Ninety Six, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 7, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Ninety Six, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 175
Tail Number
N6509E
Operator
Tompkins Alvin A
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL88FA211

THE PILOT WAS CRUISING THE AIRPLANE AT 2,000 FEET AGL WHEN HE NOTED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND INCREASE IN OIL TEMPERATURE. HE ALSO NOTED A LOSS IN ENGINE POWER. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A LANDING OFF AIRPORT AND SET UP A PATTERN FOR THE SELECTED FIELD. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND DURING THE LANDING APPROACH. THERE WERE OPEN AND LONGER FIELDS AVAILABLE ADJACENT TO THE SELECTED FIELD. THE #1 PISTON WAS BURNED THROUGH AND #5 PISTON SHOWED OVERHEAT. THE PLT INDICATED HE USED 3100 RPM IN CRUISE. THE OWNER MANUAL RECOMMENDS 2400-2900 RPM AT SEA LEVEL AND 2400-3050 RPM AT 5000 FT. THE IGNITION LEAD FOR A #1 CYLINDER SPARK PLUG DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER CONNECTOR.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS CRUISING THE AIRPLANE AT 2,000 FEET AGL WHEN HE NOTED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND INCREASE IN OIL TEMPERATURE. HE ALSO NOTED A LOSS IN ENGINE POWER. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A LANDING OFF AIRPORT AND SET UP A PATTERN FOR THE SELECTED FIELD. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND DURING THE LANDING APPROACH. THERE WERE OPEN AND LONGER FIELDS AVAILABLE ADJACENT TO THE SELECTED FIELD. THE #1 PISTON WAS BURNED THROUGH AND #5 PISTON SHOWED OVERHEAT. THE PLT INDICATED HE USED 3100 RPM IN CRUISE. THE OWNER MANUAL RECOMMENDS 2400-2900 RPM AT SEA LEVEL AND 2400-3050 RPM AT 5000 FT. THE IGNITION LEAD FOR A #1 CYLINDER SPARK PLUG DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER CONNECTOR.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:47 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 175
Tail NumberN6509E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorTompkins Alvin A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GO-300-A · Reciprocating · 175
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:40
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data