# Accident 19970419006239A: Univar 1081, Smithfield, NC, April 19, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 19, 1997, 13:20 local time
- Place: Smithfield, NC
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.4994° N, 78.3400° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4994&lon=-78.3400&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9063K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9063K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Universal Stinson 108 (registry code 9230412, https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-stinson-108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470R (registry code 17071, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470r) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: UNIVAR 1081
- Reported engine: FRNKLN 6A4150B3
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 516 total, 92 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB MIA97LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA144) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970419006239A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

LOST POWR EN ROUTE. NOSED OVER LANDING SOFT DIRT FIELD. BROKEN CRANKSHAFT. (-23) THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED A PRIVATE STRIP (TALTON) AT APPROXIMATELY 1300 EDT, 19 APRIL 1997. THIS WAS A FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATION PART 91 PLEASURE FLIGHT CONDUCTED IN THE LOCAL AREA.  THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS ONBOARD.  AT APPROXIMATELY 1320 A REPORTED ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED THE PILOT TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A RECENTLY PLOWED FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 280 FEET PRIOR TO THE LANDING GEAR SETTLING INTO THE SOFT GROUND AND FLIPPING THE AIRCRAFT ONTO ITS' BACK.  FIELD INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THE LEFT ENGINE MOUNT BROKEN AWAY FROM THE ENGINE.  AT THIS TIME IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED IN FLIGHT OR IF GROUND IMPACT INITIATED THE CRACK.  THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF OIL COMING FROM THE CRACK.  THE ENGINE WAS HAND PROPPED APPROXIMATELY 8-12 INCHES AFTER REMOVING THE RIGHT MAGNETO COVER AND THE #5 VALVE OVER.  THERE WAS NO MOTION DETECTED IN EITHER THE MAGNETO OR THE VALVE TRAIN.  THIS ENGINE HAS A GEAR BOX LOCATED IN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. THIS GEAR BOX DRIVES THE CAMSHAFT, BOTH MAGNETOS, TACHOMETER, GENERATOR, AND STARTER. A FAILURE IN THIS AREA COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE OIL SCREEN AND FUEL BOWL WERE REMOVED.  THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF CONTAMINATION IN EITHER. THE PILOT REPORTED APPROXIMATELY 30 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD.  THIS ENGINE HAS THE AUTOMOTIVE GAS STC INCORPORATED.  THE NTSB REQUESTED THAT A TEAR DOWN BE CONDUCTED.  THE OWNER CAN PERFORM THE TEAR DOWN PROVIDED THAT AN FAA INSPECTOR IS PRESENT AND THAT THE NTSB OR THE FAA DOES NOT INCUR ANY CHARGES FOR THE TEAR DOWN REPORT.  OTHER DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT CONSISTED OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER BEING CRUSHED, THE LEFT WING SUPPORT STRUTS BENT, WHEEL PANTS DAMAGED, ENGINE COWLING DAMAGED, PROP BENT FROM GROUND IMPACT, AND OTHER MINOR "COSMETIC" DAMAGE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA97LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA144), Apr 19, 1997: Stinson 108-1 (N9063K), Smithfield, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: a fracture in the crankshaft, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, a forced landing, and a nose over.

## Other reports on N9063K (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20160625021419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160625021419A), Jun 25, 2016: Universal Stinson 108 (N9063K), Phoebe Lake, AK, Destroyed. One pilot and two passengers on board. Pilot was circling in right hand turn at 600 feet. Engine started sputtering, lost power/airspeed and crashed into trees.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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