Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX95LA064

YUMA, AZ, USA

Aircraft #1

N8455V

ROCKWELL S2R THRUSH CMDR

Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING AN AERIAL APPLICATION, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERSPEED FOLLOWED BY FLAMES COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE PILOT LANDED IN A FIELD DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN FOR ANOTHER 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT A SECTION OF THE NO.1 CYLINDER WAS MISSING FROM THE ENGINE.

Factual Information

On December 28, 1994, at 1800 mountain standard time, the pilot of a Rockwell S2R Thrush Commander, N8455V, made a forced landing to a field after experiencing a loss of engine power after an aerial application near Yuma, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the pilot was not injured. Information from the pilot indicated the engine began to overspeed as he exited the field. Shortly afterwards, flames began to come out of the exhaust and top of the engine and over the canopy. The pilot made a forced landing and exited the aircraft. The engine continued to run for 5 minutes without the propeller turning with flames continuing to come from the engine. After the engine stopped running, the pilot proceeded to put out the fire with a handheld fire extinguisher. Examination of the engine by the operator revealed a section of the No. 1 cylinder was missing and there was associated evidence of an engine fire. The engine had about 5,985 hours total time. There were about 120 hours time since the last inspection and 250 hours since overhaul.

Probable Cause and Findings

a forced landing due to an engine failure of the no.1 cylinder.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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