GALLUP, NM, USA
N9130A
CESSNA 170A
THE AIRCRAFT HIT A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE SEIZED DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT ON A NEWLY REBUILT ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUN IN ON THE GROUND AND THE PILOT MADE THREE FULL POWER, STATIC RUNS BEFORE TAKEOFF. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE SAID THE SPARK PLUGS FROM CYLINDERS NUMBER 1, 3, & 5 SHOWED EVIDENCE OF HAVING RUN WITH A LEAN MIXTURE. THE NUMBER 3 & 5 CYLINDERS WERE SCUFFED AND METAL FROM THE PISTONS HAD TRANSFERRED TO THE CYLINDER WALLS.
IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE ENGINE DURING PREFLIGHT PREPARATION, WHICH RESULTED IN OVERHEATING OF THE ENGINE AND DAMAGE TO INTERNAL COMPONENTS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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