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NTSB Report
October 13, 1988 · Culver LFA · N34872
Dumas, AR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 13, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Dumas, AR
Aircraft
Culver LFA
Tail Number
N34872
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC89DPG01
A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE BACKFIRED WHILE IN A TURN AT LOW ALTITUDE. HE HEARD IT BACKFIRE TWICE MORE AND NOTICED ENGINE RUNNING AT IDLE JUST BEFORE IT CRASHED. WHEN RUNUP, THE ENGINE WOULD ATTAIN 1900 RPM, THEN BACKFIRE AND THE RPM WOULD DROP TO 600 RPM. WHEN THE MAGNETOS WERE REPLACED, THE ENGINE RAN WITHOUT PROBLEMS. TEARDOWN OF MAGNETOS FOUND BOTH DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK ASSEMBLIES WERE EXCESSIVELY CORRODED AND TWO CONTACTS IN EACH WERE MISSING. BOTH BREAKER POINTS WERE WORN BEYOND LIMITS.
Full Narrative
A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE BACKFIRED WHILE IN A TURN AT LOW ALTITUDE. HE HEARD IT BACKFIRE TWICE MORE AND NOTICED ENGINE RUNNING AT IDLE JUST BEFORE IT CRASHED. WHEN RUNUP, THE ENGINE WOULD ATTAIN 1900 RPM, THEN BACKFIRE AND THE RPM WOULD DROP TO 600 RPM. WHEN THE MAGNETOS WERE REPLACED, THE ENGINE RAN WITHOUT PROBLEMS. TEARDOWN OF MAGNETOS FOUND BOTH DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK ASSEMBLIES WERE EXCESSIVELY CORRODED AND TWO CONTACTS IN EACH WERE MISSING. BOTH BREAKER POINTS WERE WORN BEYOND LIMITS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:50 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCulver LFA
Tail NumberN34872
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC