# NTSB ATL93LA119: Waco ATO, N13918, Alma, GA, June 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1993, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Alma, GA
- Coordinates: 31.540222, -82.470451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5402&lon=-82.4705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA119

## Probable cause

The failure of the aircraft engine master rod bearing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT WHEELS SANK INTO THE SOFT TERRAIN AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. PERSONNEL WHO INSPECTED THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE MASTER ROD BEARING.

## Factual narrative

On June 30, 1993, at about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Waco ATO, N13918 was substantially damaged during an emergency landing near Alma, Georgia. The airline transport pilot received minor injuries in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight departed Lake City, Florida at 0950, and was enroute to Athens, Georgia at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that during cruise flight, the aircraft engine began to run rough. He attempted to make the Alma Airport, but the engine stopped producing power, and he was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a field. During the landing, in the soft field, the aircraft flipped over onto its back.

Personnel who inspected the aircraft after the accident stated that the engine loss of power was a result of a failure of the master rod bearing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13918](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13918), registered now, S/N A-118, built 1929 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO ATO
- Registry model: [Waco ATO](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-ato) (registry code 9601212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright 975E-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-975e-1) (registry code 67014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A-118
- Engines: WRIGHT R975 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leo G. Janssens
- Registered owner: Phillip H. Dubeau
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1993, 10 hours before
- Departed: 3IJ, LAKE CITY, FL
- Destination: AHN, ATHENS, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 10,000 total, 10 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMG, 3 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 19930630021289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930630021289A), Jun 30, 1993: Waco ATO, Alma, GA, Substantial damage. Lost power at cruise. Nosed over landing in soft field. Engine master rod bearing failed.

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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