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NTSB Report
June 3, 1989 · Dilley P51R · N91KD
Hamilton, IN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 3, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hamilton, IN
Aircraft
Dilley P51R
Tail Number
N91KD
Operator
John E Dilley
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI89DET06
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 7,500 FT, THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND A LOSS OF POWER RESULTED. DURING A FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO A FIELD, FIRE WAS NOTED COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE NACELLE. THE PILOT ACTIVATED THE FIRE BOTTLE AND CUT OFF THE MIXTURE WHICH EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED GEAR-UP IN AN OPEN FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED A CONNECTING ROD FAILURE IN THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A FAILURE OF THE INTAKE VALVE ALLOWING THE FUEL MIXTURE TO IGNITE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE #3 CONNECTING ROD. A FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 7,500 FT, THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND A LOSS OF POWER RESULTED. DURING A FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO A FIELD, FIRE WAS NOTED COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE NACELLE. THE PILOT ACTIVATED THE FIRE BOTTLE AND CUT OFF THE MIXTURE WHICH EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED GEAR-UP IN AN OPEN FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED A CONNECTING ROD FAILURE IN THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A FAILURE OF THE INTAKE VALVE ALLOWING THE FUEL MIXTURE TO IGNITE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDilley P51R
Tail NumberN91KD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn E Dilley
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · RR 621 · Reciprocating · 1490
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 4 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO