# Accident 20000609012899A: Amtr STEWARTS51, Wilkes-Barre, PA, June 9, 2000

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 9, 2000, 08:50 local time
- Place: Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Airport: Wilkes Barre-Wyoming Valley Ar
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.2969° N, 75.8511° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2969&lon=-75.8511&mi=10
- Aircraft: N51FY, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51FY-2018-01-17) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Yamrick STEWART S-51 (registry code 05613A8, https://openairdocs.org/model/yamrick-stewart-s-51) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMTR STEWARTS51
- Reported engine: AMTR GM350
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 4,004 total, 200 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC00LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA156) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000609012899A

## Narrative

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

(-23)NO NARRATIVE (.4)ON JUNE 9, 2000, ABOUT 0850 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A HOMEBUILT S-51, N51FY, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED A FORCE LANDING TO A FIELD AT FORTY FORT, PENNSYLVANIA. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED FROM WILKES-BARRE WYOMING VALLEY AIRPORT (WBW), WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA. THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE LOCAL PERSONAL FLIGHT CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR PART 91. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A POLE AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE BY A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE PROPELLER REDUCTION GEAR BOX INPUT SHAFT HAD SHEARED. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE SHAFT, THE PILOT STATED THAT IT FAILED "AT THE WEAKEST POINT." HE ADDED THAT THE FAILED AREA WAS TOO THIN, AND NEEDED TO BE RE-MACHINED. HE BELIEVED THAT OVER AN APPROXIMATE 100 HOURS OF OPERATION, STRESS CAUSED THE COMPONENT TO FAIL. ACCORDING TO THE KIT MANUFACT                                                         URER, THE FAILURE WAS LIMITED TO THE PILOT'S AIRPLANE. A MACHINE SHOP HAD PROVIDED THE REDUCTION GEARBOX INPUT SHAFT FOR THE PRODUCTION MODELS.  THE PILOT DECIDED TO MACHINE HIS OWN PARTS FOR HIS PARTICULAR AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT OBTAINED SOME ROUGH CASTINGS FROM THE MACHINE SHOP, BUT THAT WAS THE ONLY SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE FAILED SHAFT AND THE PRODUCTION SHAFTS.  THE MANUFACTURER ADDED THAT HTE SHAFTS IN THE PRODUCTION MODELS ARE LARGER, AND USE AVAITION SPLINES, WHEREAS THE PILOT USED  AUTOMOTIVE SPLINES.

## 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 NYC00LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA156), Jun 9, 2000: Stewart S-51 (N51FY), Forty Fort, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The owner/builder's inadequate design, resulting in total failure of the reduction gear assembly accessory drive shaft.

## Other reports on N51FY (1)

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

- [Incident 19860913045039I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860913045039I), Sep 13, 1986: Skrsky S51 (N51FY), Wilkes Barre Sc, PA, Minor damage. Pilot lost directional control during goaround and aircraft hit dike causing minor damage.

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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