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August 15, 1987 · Piper PA-22-150 · N5831D

Solon Springs, WI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Solon Springs, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N5831D
Operator
Howard M Nelson
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC87FA161

THE SURVIVING PAX RPRTD THAT DRG INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG SUDDENLY STOPPED & DID NOT RESPOND TO ATMTS OF A RESTART. THE PLT TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RWY. THE ACFT IMPACTED LARGE TREES IN A WOODED AREA, THEN CRASHED TO THE GND & BURNED APRX 1/2 MI FM THE ARPT. AN ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED THE CENTER CRANKSHAFT BEARING HAD SEIZED. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE ENG CASE IN THE VCNTY OF THE BEARING'S OIL ACCESS PORT. ALSO, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT OIL HAD PARTIALLY BYPASSED THE BEARING & FLOWED INTO THE CASE. AN ACQUAINTANCE STATED THAT ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION, THE ENG SEIZED WHILE THE ACFT WAS BEING TAXIED. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE PLT ADDED OIL TO THE ENG, ROTATED THE PROP, RESTARTED THE ENG, THEN FLEW THE ACFT FREQUENTLY, THEREAFTER. ACQUAINTANCES ALSO SAID THE PLT HAD OVERHAULED THE ENG IN MID 1986, ALTHOUGH HE WAS NOT CERTIFIED AS A MECHANIC. ALSO, THE ACFT HAD BEEN MODIFIED IAW STC SA45RM; HOWEVER, NO RECORD WAS FND CONCERNING THE OVERHAUL OR MOD. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.07%.

Full Narrative

THE SURVIVING PAX RPRTD THAT DRG INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG SUDDENLY STOPPED & DID NOT RESPOND TO ATMTS OF A RESTART. THE PLT TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RWY. THE ACFT IMPACTED LARGE TREES IN A WOODED AREA, THEN CRASHED TO THE GND & BURNED APRX 1/2 MI FM THE ARPT. AN ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED THE CENTER CRANKSHAFT BEARING HAD SEIZED. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE ENG CASE IN THE VCNTY OF THE BEARING'S OIL ACCESS PORT. ALSO, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT OIL HAD PARTIALLY BYPASSED THE BEARING & FLOWED INTO THE CASE. AN ACQUAINTANCE STATED THAT ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION, THE ENG SEIZED WHILE THE ACFT WAS BEING TAXIED. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE PLT ADDED OIL TO THE ENG, ROTATED THE PROP, RESTARTED THE ENG, THEN FLEW THE ACFT FREQUENTLY, THEREAFTER. ACQUAINTANCES ALSO SAID THE PLT HAD OVERHAULED THE ENG IN MID 1986, ALTHOUGH HE WAS NOT CERTIFIED AS A MECHANIC. ALSO, THE ACFT HAD BEEN MODIFIED IAW STC SA45RM; HOWEVER, NO RECORD WAS FND CONCERNING THE OVERHAUL OR MOD. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.07%.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:20 CDT
Nearest AirportSolon Springs Muni (0nm N)
Runway19
Runway Length3100 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN5831D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHoward M Nelson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data