# NTSB CHI88LA234: Fairchild PT-19, N46876, Converse, IN, September 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1988, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Converse, IN
- Coordinates: 40.569801, -85.869003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5698&lon=-85.8690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14161
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14161/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA234

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,selector/valve - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. AFTER AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A CORN FIELD. POST ACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED A BROKEN UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE FUEL SELECTOR. THERE WAS NO FUEL FOUND FORWARD OF THE FUEL SELECTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46876](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46876), registered now, S/N T421957, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD PT-19
- Registry model: [Fairchild M-62A](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-m-62a) (registry code 3371604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Fairchild 6-440 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/fairchild-6-440-series) (registry code 26003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T421957
- Airframe hours: 2210
- Engines: RANGER 6-440 C2 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wilhelm, Virgle H.
- Registered owner: Wilhelm, Virgle H
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1988, 7 hours before
- Departed: 1I8, CONVERSE, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 891 total, 8 in this make and model, 843 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUS, 13 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19880910038079I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880910038079I), Sep 10, 1988: Frchld M62A, Minneapolis, MN, Minor damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Settled back on runway landing hard. Broke tailwheel assembly. Suspect carb icing.
- [Accident 19880910039679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880910039679A), Sep 10, 1988: Frchld PT19, Converse, IN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout due to fuel starvation. Selected left fuel tank but selector had broke,stayed on empty tank

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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