Loss of Engine Power (Partial): Cessna R182 Skylane RG, N639RR; accident occurred August 24, 2020 in Crowley, Acadia Parish, Louisiana

 

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

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

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N639RR

Location: Crowley, Louisiana 

Accident Number: CEN20LA361

Date & Time: August 24, 2020, 09:35 Local 

Registration: N639RR

Aircraft: Cessna R182

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation

Analysis

About 30 minutes into the aerial observation flight, the engine began "popping" and running rough. The pilot was unable to maintain sufficient engine RPMs and elected to return to the departure airport for a precautionary landing. Based on the airplane's location relative to the runway orientation, the pilot performed a downwind landing. During the approach, the airplane was "a little high and fast;" however, the pilot was committed to the landing due to the reduced engine performance. The airplane touched down, overran the end of the turf runway impacted a ditch and came to rest upright. Both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the No. 4 engine cylinder exhaust valve was stuck which resulted in a bent push rod and partial loss of engine power. Due to damage to the operator's facility and the airplane from hurricane activity, further examination of the engine was not conducted and the reason for the stuck valve was not

determined.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The failure of the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve that resulted in a partial loss of engine power.  Based on available evidence, the reason for the failed valve was not determined.

Findings

Aircraft Recip eng cyl section - Failure

Factual Information

On August 24, 2020, about 0935 central daylight time, a Cessna R182 airplane, N639RR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Crowley, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight.

According to the pilot, the preflight engine run-up and takeoff were normal. About 30 minutes into the aerial observation flight, the engine began "popping" and running rough. The pilot was unable to maintain sufficient engine RPMs and elected to return to the departure airport for a precautionary landing. Based on the airplane's location relative to the runway orientation, the pilot performed a downwind landing. During the approach, the airplane was "a little high and fast;" however, the pilot was committed to the landing due to the reduced engine performance. The airplane touched down, overran the end of the turf runway, impacted a ditch and came to rest upright.

The pilot reported the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.

Postaccident examination of the engine by the operator revealed the No. 4 engine cylinder exhaust valve was stuck which resulted in a bent push rod and partial loss of engine power. Following the accident, hurricane activity damaged the operator's facility and the accident airplane, and further examination of the engine was unable to be conducted.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial 

Age: 31,Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None

Restraint Used: Unknown

Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: July 30, 2019

Occupational Pilot: Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: November 21, 2018

Flight Time: 1129 hours (Total, all aircraft), 692 hours (Total, this make and model), 1036 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 223 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 70 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 

Registration: N639RR

Model/Series: R182 No Series

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1978 

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal

Serial Number: R18200245

Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle

Seats: 4

Date/Type of Last Inspection: August 4, 2020 100 hour

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3100 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection: 35 Hrs 

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 9316.6 Hrs at time of accident

Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming

ELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident

Engine Model/Series: O-540-J3C5D

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 235 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: IYA,16 ft msl 

Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 09:35 Local 

Direction from Accident Site: 120°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 1600 ft AGL

Visibility 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots / 

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 40° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 21°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Crowley, LA (LS09)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Crowley, LA (LS09)

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 08:50 Local 

Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: AJ Patrol Airport LS09

Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf

Airport Elevation: 16 ft msl 

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 18 IFR 

Approach: None Runway

Length/Width: 2400 ft / 150 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Precautionary landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None 

Latitude, Longitude: 30.138889,-92.333335(est)

WARRANTY:  There is no warranty, express or implied for the information provided herein or the condition, useability, workability, operability or marketability of the aircraft salvage.  All times are approximate and the logbooks and aircraft should be inspected by each bidder BEFORE BIDDING.  Failure of the bidder to view the salvage or wreckage, or confirm any information provided is NOT grounds for a claim or withdrawal of bid after bid closing date.) 
                      
HOURS estimated from logbooks or other information - not guaranteed or warranted

AIRCRAFT:   1978 Cessna 182RG N639RR, sn: R18200245

Last log entry is a 100 Hour Inspection on 08/04/20 at 9282.0 AFTT, 4947.0 Tach 

ENGINE:  Lycoming 0-540-J3C5D, s/n: L L-18613-40A

Times on 08/04/20 per log – TTE 11,533.4; STOH 140.9; SMOH 4454.7           

PROPELLER:   McCauley B2D34C214-B, s/n: 042432.  2012 OH

EQUIPMENT:  
King 155
King 165
King KR87
King 76A
King 24
Cessna S-tec 300 Autopilot
Intercom Telex 4
ARC 832                                                           

DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT:  On 8/24/20, the pilot overshot the runway and attempted a go-around but didn’t have enough power.  The aircraft overran the runway, across a road, and ended up in a ditch.

LOCATION OF AIRCRAFT:   Private field at AJ Patrol Airport, Crowley, LA.

REMARKS:   

Insurer reserves the right to reject any and all bids. 

Salvage is as is/where is. 

The posting information is the best to our knowledge. 

An inspection of the salvage is highly recommended. 

LOGS ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO BE ACCURATE OR COMPLETE.

Read more here:  http://www.avclaims.com