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NTSB Report
December 20, 1988 · Beech A36 · N17696
Athens, GA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 20, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Athens, GA
Aircraft
Beech A36
Tail Number
N17696
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA056
WHILE CRUISING AT 6,000', THE PLT FELT AN INTENSE VIBRATION FM THE ENG. POWER WAS REDUCED & A DESCENT WAS BEGUN TOWARD A NEARBY ARPT. BEFORE REACHING THE ARPT, THE ENG LOST POWER & AN EMERGENCY WHEELS-UP LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN FIELD. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #1 EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED. THE VALVE GUIDE WAS BATTERED & BROKEN, AND WAS LOOSE IN ITS BORE. THE BORE WAS FRETTED & HAD BECOME OVERSIZED. THE ENG HAD BEEN OVERHAULED & INSTALLED IN THE ACFT ON 1/20/82 WITH A TOTAL TIME OF 1515 HRS. ACCORDING TO THE LOG BOOK, NEW VALVES & VALVE GUIDES HAD BEEN INSTALLED AT THAT TIME. THE ENG TIME SINCE MAJOR OVERHAUL WAS 1041 HRS.
Full Narrative
WHILE CRUISING AT 6,000', THE PLT FELT AN INTENSE VIBRATION FM THE ENG. POWER WAS REDUCED & A DESCENT WAS BEGUN TOWARD A NEARBY ARPT. BEFORE REACHING THE ARPT, THE ENG LOST POWER & AN EMERGENCY WHEELS-UP LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN FIELD. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #1 EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED. THE VALVE GUIDE WAS BATTERED & BROKEN, AND WAS LOOSE IN ITS BORE. THE BORE WAS FRETTED & HAD BECOME OVERSIZED. THE ENG HAD BEEN OVERHAULED & INSTALLED IN THE ACFT ON 1/20/82 WITH A TOTAL TIME OF 1515 HRS. ACCORDING TO THE LOG BOOK, NEW VALVES & VALVE GUIDES HAD BEEN INSTALLED AT THAT TIME. THE ENG TIME SINCE MAJOR OVERHAUL WAS 1041 HRS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 EST
Nearest Airport25nm NNE
Runway27
Runway Length4989 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech A36
Tail NumberN17696
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-BA · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 12 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO