# NTSB ATL87DEI12: Tomishin W-8, N3992A, Painesville, OH, September 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1987, 14:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Painesville, OH
- Coordinates: 41.719013, -81.239936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7190&lon=-81.2399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7234
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87DEI12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7234/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DEI12

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - propeller system/accessories - leak (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT/OWNER OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT WAS MAKING A LOCAL FLIGHT TO DETERMINE THE FLT CHARACTERISTICS WITH A LARGER WING INSTALLED ON THE ACFT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE IN FLIGHT AN OIL LEAK DEVELOPED FROM THE AREA OF THE PROPELLER. THE OIL COATED THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSCURED HIS VISION. HE ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A LDG ON THE SOD SURFACE TO THE RIGHT OF THE RWY. THE PLT REPTD THAT DURING LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT DRIFTED INTO A PLOWED FIELD AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3992A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3992A-2017-05-23), registration cancelled 2017-05-23, S/N 37, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TOMISHIN W-8
- Registry model: [Tomishin-Whittman Tailwind W-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/tomishin-whittman-tailwind-w-8) (registry code 97902JN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 37
- Airframe hours: 67
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John M. Tomishin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: 2G1, Concord Airpark, runway 20, 2,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 81; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,600 total, 67 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE, 40 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870904049859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870904049859A), Sep 4, 1987: Amtrwt TAILWINDW8, Painesville, OH, Substantial damage. Oil covered the windshield from a prop hub oil leak. Tried to land on side of runway, veered into plowed ground.

## Other investigations on N3992A (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 FTW02LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA242), Aug 27, 2002: Whittman Tailwind W-8 (N3992A), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The structural failure and separation of a propeller blade for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain available to the pilot to execute a forced landing.

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.

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