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August 12, 2021 · Beech 77 NO Series · N3873Y

Stanley, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 12, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Stanley, NM
Aircraft
Beech 77 NO Series (1981)
Tail Number
N3873Y
Operator
Gillett Drew A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR21LA316

The pilot departed an airport at an elevation about 5,800 ft mean sea level (msl), and reported that, upon reaching about 6,700 ft msl, the airplane would not continue to climb. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, during which the right wing impacted a fence post, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that all lower spark plugs were severely lead fouled. According to the manufacturer, severely lead fouled spark plugs can lead to misfiring, resulting in a degradation of engine performance. It is likely that the fouled spark plugs resulted in a loss of engine performance and the airplane’s subsequent inability to maintain altitude.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine performance due to lead fouling of the lower spark plugs, which resulted in an off airport forced landing.

Full Narrative

On August 12, 2021, about 1100 mountain daylight time, a Beech 77, N3873Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Stanley, New Mexico. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot departed Double Eagle II Airport (KAEG), Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 1000. The atmospheric conditions at the time of departure resulted in a density altitude of about 8,000 ft. The pilot reported that, during the climb, the airplane maintained a 200 foot per minute (fpm) rate of climb; however, 3 days earlier, under similar atmospheric conditions and airplane loading, the airplane maintained a climb rate of 500 fpm. The pilot further reported that the airplane would not climb higher than 6,700 ft mean sea level, and he decided to maneuver the airplane toward the destination airport. About 300 ft above the ground, as he maneuvered to the southeast to follow a road, the pilot noticed that the terrain was rising and elected to perform a forced landing. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane impacted a cattleguard post and the slid about 200 feet to a stop, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. Performance calculations for the accident takeoff from the pilots operating handbook indicated that, given a pressure altitude of 5,527 ft, outside air temperature of 24°C, airplane weight of 1,645 lbs, flaps 0°, mixture leaned to maximum rpm, and power at full throttle, the airplane’s rate of climb should have been about 475 fpm. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no anomalies or malfunctions. Examination of the engine established mechanical continuity throughout the engine and valve train. The top spark plugs were carbon fouled and displayed black, sooty deposits, while the lower spark plugs were heavily lead fouled, and displayed hard, cinder-like globules of lead around the firing end and cavity. (see figure 1.) According to the pilot, he believed that he had an undetected fouled plug. Figure 1. Top: View of lower spark plugs; Left: Close-up view of no. 1 & 3 spark plugs; Right: View of no. 2 & 4 spark plugs According to Champion Aerospace Aviation Service Manual for spark plugs: Severely fouled spark plugs will operate colder, causing misfires, and will also misfire at higher power because of the conductive nature of the deposits at elevated temperatures. According to the engine logbooks, all spark plugs were cleaned and gapped during the most recent annual inspection about 1 year before the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 MDT
Nearest AirportDouble Eagle Ii (40nm E)
Runway04/2
Runway Length7398 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 77 NO Series
Tail NumberN3873Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGillett Drew A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 SERIES · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Basc · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 F
Altimeter30.24 inHg
Observation Time10:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data