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NTSB Report
March 26, 1989 · Beech 95-B-55 · N27WF
Crothersville, IN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 26, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Crothersville, IN
Aircraft
Beech 95-B-55
Tail Number
N27WF
Operator
Casebolt Fon
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI89LA063
DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, WHILE IN NORMAL CRUISE, THE RIGHT ENGINE FAILED TOTALLY. THE PILOT REDUCED POWER ON THE LEFT (OPERATING) ENGINE TO 'CURTAIL THE VIOLENT VIBRATION OF THE AIRCRAFT' AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS ROLLING OUT AFTER TOUCHDOWN, IT ENCOUNTERED A MUDDY AREA. THE NOSE GEAR BOGGED DOWN, THEN COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE PIN RETAINING PLATE CUT THROUGH THE CRANKSHAFT COUNTERWEIGHT, RELEASING IT. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE COUNTERWEIGHTS HAD NOT BEEN 'TUFTRIDED', A SURFACE HARDENING PROCESS WHICH PREVENTS THE PIN RETAINING PLATE FROM CUTTING/WEARING THROUGH THE COUNTERWEIGHT. THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN REQUIRED ON NEW ENGINES SINCE 1968, AND ON REBUILT ENGINES SINCE 1973-74. THE ACCIDENT ENGINE WAS REBUILT BY THE MANUFACTURER IN 1971. LOGBOOK/MAINTENANCE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE PILOT WAS INCOMPLETE.
NTSB Probable Cause
A FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DUE TO A CRANKSHAFT COUNTERWEIGHT FAILURE. THE PILOT PERFORMED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, WHERE THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A LARGE MUDDY AREA, BOGGED DOWN AND NOSED OVER.
Full Narrative
DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, WHILE IN NORMAL CRUISE, THE RIGHT ENGINE FAILED TOTALLY. THE PILOT REDUCED POWER ON THE LEFT (OPERATING) ENGINE TO 'CURTAIL THE VIOLENT VIBRATION OF THE AIRCRAFT' AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS ROLLING OUT AFTER TOUCHDOWN, IT ENCOUNTERED A MUDDY AREA. THE NOSE GEAR BOGGED DOWN, THEN COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE PIN RETAINING PLATE CUT THROUGH THE CRANKSHAFT COUNTERWEIGHT, RELEASING IT. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE COUNTERWEIGHTS HAD NOT BEEN 'TUFTRIDED', A SURFACE HARDENING PROCESS WHICH PREVENTS THE PIN RETAINING PLATE FROM CUTTING/WEARING THROUGH THE COUNTERWEIGHT. THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN REQUIRED ON NEW ENGINES SINCE 1968, AND ON REBUILT ENGINES SINCE 1973-74. THE ACCIDENT ENGINE WAS REBUILT BY THE MANUFACTURER IN 1971. LOGBOOK/MAINTENANCE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE PILOT WAS INCOMPLETE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech 95-B-55
Tail NumberN27WF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCasebolt Fon
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-L · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind160° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC