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NTSB Report
December 6, 1989 · Waco HRE · N31654
Alexander City, AL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Alexander City, AL
Aircraft
Waco HRE
Tail Number
N31654
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90LA035
SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A SANDY LAKE SHORE & THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE MAGNETO DRIVE GEAR & A BROKEN MAGNETO MOUNTING STUD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE AND WAS FOUND NEAR THE WRECKAGE. THE ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED ABOUT 125 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AT WHICH TIME A USED CRANKSHAFT WAS INSTALLED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ABOUT 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT THAT A SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN BOTH MOUNTING STUDS BROKE. THIS WAS THE ONLY WACO HRE MODEL KNOWN TO BE ACTIVELY FLYING.
NTSB Probable Cause
AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SEPARATION OF THE MAGNETO AS A RESULT OF A BROKEN MOUNTING STUD. THE MOUNTING STUD MOST LIKELY FAILED DUE TO VIBRATIONS INDUCED BY AN INADEQUATELY BALANCED CRANKSHAFT.
Full Narrative
SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A SANDY LAKE SHORE & THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE MAGNETO DRIVE GEAR & A BROKEN MAGNETO MOUNTING STUD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE AND WAS FOUND NEAR THE WRECKAGE. THE ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED ABOUT 125 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AT WHICH TIME A USED CRANKSHAFT WAS INSTALLED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ABOUT 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT THAT A SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN BOTH MOUNTING STUDS BROKE. THIS WAS THE ONLY WACO HRE MODEL KNOWN TO BE ACTIVELY FLYING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest AirportWillow Point (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftWaco HRE
Tail NumberN31654
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · R-680 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 68 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO