Saturday, March 30, 2019

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Cessna 140, N76268; accident occurred March 26, 2019 near Newton City-County Airport (KEWK), Harvey County, Kansas


























Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Wichita, Kansas
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Newton, KS
Accident Number: CEN19LA111
Date & Time: 03/26/2019, 1730 CDT
Registration: N76268
Aircraft: Cessna 140
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis

The pilot reported that no engine issues were detected during the run up. He stated that, during the takeoff, the climbout engine power was "good." On the turn to downwind, the pilot noticed a slight loss of engine power. He checked the throttle position and continued the downwind leg. The pilot considered landing on the crosswind runway but felt he had engine power to make a short 180° approach to the departure runway. During the turn to final, the engine had an additional power drop, "clattered" about 3-4 seconds, and subsequently stopped. The pilot landed straight ahead in a field, where the airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage.

A disassembly of the engine revealed that the camshaft was fractured in the area abeam the No.1 cylinder. The No. 1 connecting rod end was separated from its crankshaft journal, and the rod end exhibited discoloration consistent with lubrication distress. The liberated sections of connecting rod bearing material were found in the oil sump an exhibited discoloration consistent with lubrication distress. The oil transfer tube orifice for the No. 1 connecting rod bearing was smeared over with migrated connecting rod journal material. The migrated and smeared metal was drilled through to see if any debris was present; only metallic particles were present that were attracted by a magnet. No other blockages were found within the oil system. Scoring consistent with hard particle passage was observed within the oil pump housing. The oil filter was cut open and had one spot of dark-colored debris; no other debris found within the filter pleats. The oil suction pickup tube was disassembled and did not
contain any debris.

The No. 1 connecting rod end separation is consistent with oil starvation at the rod end.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The loss of engine power after the No. 1 connecting rod end separated as a result of oil starvation, which led to the forced landing and nose-over.

Findings

Aircraft Recip eng cyl section - Failure
Aircraft Oil - Fluid level


Factual Information

On March 26, 2019, about 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna 140 airplane, N76268, nosed over during a forced landing near the Newton City/County Airport (EWK), near Newton, Kansas, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial wing and empennage damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from EWK.

This was the first flight after an annual inspection of the airplane. According to the pilot's accident report, the engine run up check was conducted, and the magnetos and carburetor heat were "good." During the takeoff, the climb out engine power was "good." On the turn to downwind, the pilot noticed a slight loss of engine power below "normal." He checked the throttle position and continued the downwind leg of the flight. The pilot considered a crosswind landing on runway 8/26. However, he felt he had engine power to make a short 180° approach to runway 17. During the turn to final, the engine power dropped further, it "clattered" about 3-4 seconds, and subsequently stopped. The pilot stated that the only option was to land straight ahead in a field to the north of runway 17.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the engine and found that he could only rotate the propeller through 270° of rotation. The engine was subsequently removed from the airplane, crated, and shipped to Continental Motors for a disassembly inspection. During disassembly, the No. 1 connecting rod end was separated from its crankshaft journal and the rod end exhibited discoloration consistent with lubrication distress. Liberated sections of the No. 1 connecting rod bearing were found in the oil sump and those sections exhibited discoloration consistent with lubrication distress. The oil transfer tube orifice for the No. 1 connecting rod bearing was smeared over with migrated connecting rod journal material. The migrated and smeared metal was drilled through to see if any debris was present. Only metallic particles were present that were attracted by a magnet. The remaining oil transfer tube orifices and oil galleys were not obstructed. The remaining three connecting rods remained attached to the crankshaft. However, the connecting rod ends, and rod bearings all exhibited discoloration consistent with lubrication distress. Scoring consistent with hard particle passage was observed within the oil pump housing. The camshaft was fractured in the area abeam the separated connecting rod and the camshaft fractures surfaces appeared grainy and dull consistent with overload. The oil filter, hand dated March 22, 2019, was cut open and had one spot of dark colored debris and no other debris found within the filter pleats. The oil suction pickup tube was disassembled and it did not contain any debris.

History of Flight

Approach Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)
Emergency descent Off-field or emergency landing
Landing Nose over/nose down

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 68, Male 
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/22/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/22/2017
Flight Time: 1339 hours (Total, all aircraft), 40 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N76268
Model/Series: 140 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1946
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 10676
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/22/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1451 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: C85-12
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 85 hp
Operator:On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KEWK, 1532 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1656 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 45°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR): 
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 190°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.25 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Newton, KS (EWK)
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination: Newton, KS (EWK)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1715 CDT
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: Newton-City-County (EWK)
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 1532 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 17
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7003 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 38.067778, -97.275278 (est)

Location: Newton, KS
Accident Number: CEN19LA111
Date & Time: 03/26/2019, 1723 CDT
Registration: N76268
Aircraft: Cessna 140
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 26, 2019, about 1723 central daylight time, a Cessna 140 airplane, N76268, nosed over during a forced landing near the Newton City/County Airport (EWK), near Newton, Kansas, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial wing and empennage damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from EWK.

According to initial information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot reported a loss of engine power during an approach to EWK. This was the first flight after an annual inspection of the airplane. The airplane landed short of EWK in a field and nosed over. An FAA inspector examined the engine and found that he could only rotate the propeller through 270° of rotation. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N76268
Model/Series: 140 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: EWK, 1533 ft msl
Observation Time: 1656 CDT
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 7°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / , 190°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.25 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Newton, KS (EWK)
Destination: Newton, KS (EWK)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.056944, -97.275278 (est)





NEWTON, Kansas (KSNW) - Emergency crews responded to a plane crash in Harvey County Tuesday. 

The Kansas Highway Patrol said a Cessna 140 suffered total engine failure at a low altitude and low speed. 

The 68-year-old pilot, identified as Billy V. Patton from Wichita, attempted to land in a field north of the runway at Newton City-County Airport. 

The plane touched down just prior to reaching a fence. It struck the fence and a small tree.

The Cessna flipped over the nose and came to rest on the top.

The pilot was not hurt.

Story and video ➤ https://www.ksn.com

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