Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Wrightsville, Georgia
Accident Number: ERA20LA045
Date & Time: November 30, 2019, 10:00 Local
Registration: N52CY
Aircraft: Yakovlev YAK 52
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Factual Information
On November 30, 2019, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Yakovlev Yak 52, N52CY, was substantially damaged during an off-airport landing after experiencing a loss of engine power enroute near Wrightsville, Georgia. The flight instructor and private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the flight instructor as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Waycross-Ware County Airport (AYS), Waycross, Georgia about 0915 and was destined for Kaolin Field Airport (OKZ), Sandersville, Georgia.
The private pilot, seated in the rear seat, reported this was the second day of a cross-country trip to move the recently purchased airplane to Tennessee, from Florida. He reported that the flights the day prior were normal, and the accident flight takeoff and cruise progressed normally, until about 10 minutes from OKZ. While cruising at 3,500 ft mean sea level, there was a sudden heavy vibration from the engine that lasted about 5 seconds and resulted in a complete loss of engine power. He added that there was no indication that something was wrong with the engine, prior to the heavy vibration.
The flight instructor reported the same heavy vibration and loss of engine power, and added that the vibration was so heavy, that an engine gauge fell out of its position into the back of the instrument panel during the event. He immediately took the flight controls and adjusted the throttle but received no response from the engine. He then attempted an engine restart, but when he engaged the starter, he saw one propeller blade remained fixed in the airstream. The flight instructor reported he then turned the airplane left to align with a long farm field, and while on final approach about 500 ft above ground, he extended the landing gear, which resulted in the airspeed decaying rapidly and a further increase in the descent rate. Subsequently, he reported that as the airplane entered the landing flare, it was "out of airspeed," and shortly after the nose wheel touched down the airplane nosed over and skidded to a stop.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site, the airplane came to rest upside down. The fuselage, empennage, and wings sustained substantial damage. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all surfaces. Oil spray was observed on the underside of the fuselage. When the propeller was moved by hand, it was revealed that the engine had seized and would not rotate.
Further examination of the engine by a National Transportation Safety Board investigator revealed that thick black oil was present in the engine. The spark plugs were dark in color. The propeller blades sustained impact damage. Inspection of each cylinder with a lighted borescope found that the cylinders were very dark in color and oil soaked. The No. 5 cylinder exhaust valve was damaged and had the appearance that the valve seat dropped into the cylinder. Metal pieces were also found inside the No. 5
cylinder.
According to FAA airman records, the private pilot had ratings for airplane single and multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. He completed the FAA basic medical certificate course October 21, 2019. His most recent flight review was completed on November 19, 2019. He reported a total flight time of 1,920 hours, of which 4 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. In the past 90 days, he reported a total flight time of 4 hours.
According to FAA airman records, the flight instructor held an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for airplane multi-engine land and a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea, and glider. He held a private pilot certificate for rotorcraft-helicopter. He also held a flight instructor certificate for airplane single and multi-engine, instrument airplane, and glider. He did not hold a medical certificate. He reported a total flight time of 3,805 hours, of which 4 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. In the past 90 and 30 days, he reported a total flight time of 20 hours and 7 hours respectively.
According to FAA airworthiness and airplane maintenance records, the 2-tandem seat former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) aerobatic trainer was manufactured in 1988 and was powered by a Vedeneyev M14P nine-cylinder radial engine. The propeller was a wooden Vperod V530TA-D35. The most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on November 1, 2019, where the maintenance entry stated that the engine oil and spark plugs were replaced. There was no mention of an inspection of the engine cylinders. According to the flight instructor, the airplane had not flown for a "couple of years" prior to the 100- hour inspection and repositioning cross-country flight.
At 0955, the OKZ hourly weather observation, about 12 nautical miles north of the accident site, included wind from a heading of 210° at 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, overcast ceilings at 3,100 ft above ground, temperature 16°C, and dew point 10°C.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 75,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed None
Last FAA Medical Exam: October 21, 2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: November 19, 2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1920 hours (Total, all aircraft), 4 hours (Total, this make and model), 1645 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Flight instructor Information
Certificate: Airline transport; Commercial; Flight instructor; Private
Age: 51,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider; Helicopter
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane; Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine; Glider; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: December 3, 2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 3805 hours (Total, all aircraft), 4 hours (Total, this make and model), 3555 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Yakovlev
Registration: N52CY
Model/Series: YAK 52 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1988
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 889006
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: November 1, 2019 100 hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2900 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 4 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 829.7 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Vedeneyev
ELT: C91 installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: M-14P
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 360 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KOKZ,430 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 09:55 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 350°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 3100 ft AGL
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 10°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Waycross, GA (AYS )
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Sandersville, GA (OKZ )
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 09:15 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 32.766666,-82.809997(est)
YIKES!
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