# NTSB BFO94LA110: Ryan Navion B, N5360K, Amherst, OH, June 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1994, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Amherst, OH
- Coordinates: 41.400775, -82.229026 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4008&lon=-82.2290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8939
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8939/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA110

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE IGNITION DUE TO WORN IGNITION WIRES.

## 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
  - ignition system,ignition lead - worn
  - maintenance - inadequate, unqualified person (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN HE NOTICED 'ENGINE TROUBLE'. HE TRIED TO MAKE IT TO LORAIN COUNTY AIRPORT; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER.  THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A GRASS FIELD ABOUT 2.5 MILES NORTH OF THE LORAIN COUNTY AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE LANDING DUE TO ROUGH TERRAIN.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE MAGNETO LEADS WERE SEVERELY WORN.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD BEEN PERFORMING THE MAINTENANCE AND THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS ON JUNE 15, 1988.  ADDITIONALLY, THE PILOT DID NOT HOLD A MECHANIC CERTIFICATE WITH A POWERPLANT RATING.  THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT HIS LAST BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW WAS 'APPROX. 1986.'

## Factual narrative

On June 22, 1994, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Ryan  Navion B, N5360K, owned and piloted by Richard Woodworth, on a personal flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Amherst, Ohio.  The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries.  The flight originated in North Bass Island, Ohio destined for Madison, Ohio.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  There was no flight plan.  The flight was being conducted under CFR 14 Part 91.

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated,

I departed North Bass Island, Ohio, at approximately      1600 hours, for Madison, Ohio, and developed engine      trouble.  I decided to try to make it to Lorain County      Airport (22G), but due to further engine deterioration,      I landed in a grass field approximately 2.5 miles from      Lorain County Airport.  Damage to the airplane occurred      on landing due to rough terrain.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector examined the airplane and interviewed the pilot after the accident.  Post Accident Examination by the FAA Inspector revealed that the engine magneto leads were "severely worn".  The pilot reported to the FAA Inspector that he (the pilot) had been performing the maintenance on the airplane.  According to the FAA Inspector the pilot did not hold a mechanic certificate with a powerplant rating.  The pilot further reported that the airplane's last annual inspection was conducted on June 15, 1988.

According to information supplied by the pilot in the NTSB form 6120.1/2, his last biennial flight review was "appprox. 1986."  The pilot voluntarily surrendered his pilot's certificate to the FAA Safety Inspector.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5360K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5360K-1994-09-02), registration cancelled 1994-09-02, S/N NAV42260B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION B
- Registry model: [Ryan NAVION B](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion-b) (registry code 6150170) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-42260B
- Airframe hours: 1373
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-435-C2 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard M. Woodworth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1988, 50 hours before
- Departed: NONE, N. BASS ISLAND, OH
- Destination: NONE, MADISON, OH
- Airport: 22G, Lorain Co. Rgnl.  Arpt.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 350 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F

## 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 19940622020299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940622020299A), Jun 22, 1994: Tmpson NAVIONB, Lorain - Elyria, OH, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Landed short of 22G. Engine magneto leads severely worn. Pilot maintenance. Last annual 1988.

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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