# NTSB CHI83LA150: Consolidated-Vultee 28-5ACF, N4760C, Neilsville, WI, March 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1983, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Neilsville, WI
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA150

## 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 - normal
  - engine assembly,master rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft performance,engine out capability - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS CRASH LANDED IN AN OPEN FIELD AFTER IT HAD A POWER LOSS ON #1 ENGINE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A GEODETIC SURVEY FLIGHT WHICH CALLED FOR FLIGHT AT 500 FEET AGL. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND BECAUSE THE AIRCRAFT COULD NOT MAINTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT ON ONE ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS 4000 LBS. UNDER MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FRONT MAIN ROD HAD FAILED ON THE #1 CYLINDER ON THE LEFT ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4760C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Consolidated-Vultee 28-5ACF
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2422202
- Airframe hours: 20346
- Engines: CURTIS WRIGHT R-2600 1950 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lee Maple
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 12, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: FAR, FARGO, ND
- Destination: AUW, WAUSAW, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,515 total, 1,525 in this make and model, 13,500 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUW, 45 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 19830322013029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830322013029A), Mar 22, 1983: Cvac 285ACFBABB, Neilsville, WI, Substantial damage. Engine quit during a geological survey flight. Crash landed wheels up. Front main connecting rod failure.

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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