Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary MIA95LA181

LAMBERT, MS, USA

Aircraft #1

N8440V

Rockwell S-2R

Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER AND HE OBSERVED SMOKE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. HE INITIATED DUMPING OF THE CHEMICAL AND WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS, THE AIRPLANE STALLED, IMPACTED THE GROUND THEN NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NO. 4 CYLINDER INTAKE VALVE ROCKER ARM BOSSES FAILED. THE ENGINE HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 305 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE TOTAL TIME OF THE CYLINDER WAS NOT DETERMINED.

Factual Information

On July 11, 1995, about 1000 central daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R, N8440V, registered to and operated by M & M Air Service, Inc., crashed shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip near Lambert, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire and the commercial-rated pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 5 minutes before from the operator's private airstrip. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff during cruise flight, the engine experienced a partial loss of power and smoke was observed near the right side of the engine. He initiated dumping of the chemical and while maneuvering to avoid obstructions, the airplane stalled, impacted the ground then nosed over. A postcrash fire destroyed the airplane. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 4 cylinder intake valve, rocker arm bosses failed. Review of the engine logbook revealed that the engine was overhauled on May 6, 1994, and had accumulated about 305 hours since overhaul. The total time of the cylinder was not determined.

Probable Cause and Findings

UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FAILURE OF THE NO. 4 CYLINDER INTAKE VALVE ROCKER ARM BOSSES.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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