# NTSB CHI00LA034: Taylorcraft F-21, N2005J, Houlton, WI, December 1, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 1, 1999, 11:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Houlton, WI - Coordinates: 45.070087, -92.750045 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0701&lon=-92.7500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47810 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47810/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA034 ## Probable cause the mechanic failed to torque the rod cap bolt during the major engine overhaul. Factors relating to the accident included the rough field and the collapsed landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, unknown - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc - maintenance,overhaul,major - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - failure,total - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported, 'The engine developed a bad noise and vibration so I turned it off and looked for a place to land.' He landed in a farm field and the landing gear collapsed during rollout. The inspection of the engine revealed the #1 connecting rod was detached from the crankshaft and the connecting rod cap was missing. One rod cap bolt was intact although bent, and no nut was found on the bolt. The other rod cap bolt was broken with the nut portion missing. The #1 cylinder crankshaft journal was inspected. No discoloring, significant scoring, or other damage was noted. The rod bolts and nuts for cylinders 2, 3, and 4 were inspected for proper installation and torque. All nuts appeared to be properly installed. The nuts were torque checked at 40 lbs. No nuts moved at this torque setting. The overhauled engine had been installed on the airplane on July 15, 1998. The airplane had been flown approximately 50 hours since the major overhaul. ## Factual narrative On December 1, 1999, at 1105 central standard time, a Taylorcraft F-21, N2005J, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing in a farm field near Houlton, Wisconsin, after the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed Lake Elmo (21D), Minnesota, at 1040, on a local flight. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he was returning to land at Lake Elmo. He reported, "The engine developed a bad noise and vibration so I turned it off and looked for a place to land. I was in farm country. Some smoke came into the cabin. I picked a clear field and landed wings level at stall speeds. The field was very rough. The wheels folded up and I slid 60 feet. Got out of the airplane after turning off the master." An Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration inspected the airplane. He reported the inspection of the engine revealed that the case was broken in the area of the number #1 cylinder. He reported, "The #1 connecting rod was detached from the crankshaft and the connecting rod cap was missing. One rod cap bolt was intact although bent, [and] no nut was found on the bolt. The other rod cap bolt was broken with the nut portion missing. The #1 cylinder crankshaft journal was inspected. No discoloring was noted. No significant scoring or other damage was noted." The inspector reported, "The rod bolts and nuts for cylinders 2, 3, and 4 were inspected for proper installation and torque. All nuts appeared to be properly installed. The nuts were torque checked at 40 lbs. No nuts moved at this torque setting." The overhauled engine had been installed on the airplane on July 15, 1998. The airplane had been flown approximately 50 hours since the major overhaul. The airplane received an annual inspection on July 7, 1999. It had flown approximately 9 hours since the annual inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2005J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2005J), registered now, S/N F-1014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft F-21 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft F21](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-f21) (registry code 8850906) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1014 - Airframe hours: 883 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dale O. Rupp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1999, 9 hours before - Departed: 21D, LAKE ELMO, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,026 total, 654 in this make and model, 1,836 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 2 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °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 19991201037199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991201037199A), Dec 1, 1999: Tcraft F21, Houlton, WI, Substantial damage. (.19) On December 1, 1999, at 1105 central standard time, a Taylorcraft F-21, N2005J, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing in a farm field… ## Other investigations on N2005J (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 CEN23LA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA351), Aug 7, 2023: Taylorcraft F21 (N2005J), Holliday, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in impact with terrain. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.