# NTSB BFO91LA047: Aerospace Tech. of Australia N22B, N5590M, Richardsville, KY, May 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1991, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Richardsville, KY
- Location: 37.1048° N, 86.4708° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Richardsville, KY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1048&lon=-86.4708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA047

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER BROUGHT ON BY A FAILURE OF THE NO.2 MAIN ENGINE BEARING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUFFICIENT POWER ON THE REMAINING ENGINE TO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - aircraft performance,engine out capability - inadequate (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST LEVELED AT FOUR THOUSAND FEET WHEN THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER. HE IMMEDIATELY TURNED BACK TOWARD HIS DEPARTURE FIELD BUT COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE WITH THE REMAINING ENGINE. HE THEN ELECTED TO MAKE A GEAR UP LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. ON TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AS IT CAME TO A STOP IN THE GRASSY FIELD. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER EXITED THROUGH THE FORWARD DOORS WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5590M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5590M-1995-08-26), registration cancelled 1995-08-26, S/N N22B83 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerospace Tech. of Australia N22B
- Registry model: [Government Aircraft Factories N22B](https://openairdocs.org/model/government-aircraft-factories-n22b) (registry code 3880102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18
- Airframe hours: 770
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C17B 420 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: S.C. Johnson & Son
- Registered owner: S.C. Johnson & Son
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 3, 1991, 17 hours before
- Departed: BWG, BOWLING GREEN, KY
- Destination: RAC, RACINE, WI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,400 total, 40 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 68 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 19910504014209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910504014209A), May 4, 1991: Govt N22B, Richardsville, KY, Substantial damage. Chip light on. Losing oil pressure in right engine. Shut down. Unable flight on left engine. Compressor bearing fail

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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