# NTSB CHI89DET06: Dilley P51R, N91KD, Hamilton, IN, June 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1989, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, IN
- Coordinates: 41.530094, -84.910835 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5301&lon=-84.9108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DET06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14220/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DET06

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE #3 CONNECTING ROD. A FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## 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,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Fire, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - fire extinguishing equipment - selected, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 7,500 FT, THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND A LOSS OF POWER RESULTED. DURING A FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO A FIELD, FIRE WAS NOTED COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE NACELLE. THE PILOT ACTIVATED THE FIRE BOTTLE AND CUT OFF THE MIXTURE WHICH EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED GEAR-UP IN AN OPEN FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED A CONNECTING ROD FAILURE IN THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A FAILURE OF THE INTAKE VALVE ALLOWING THE FUEL MIXTURE TO IGNITE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91KD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91KD-1990-04-05), registration cancelled 1990-04-05, S/N 871001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DILLEY P51R
- Registry model: [North American/Dilley P51R](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-dilley-p51r) (registry code 6402318) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 87-1001
- Airframe hours: 2589
- Engines: Rolls-Royce RR 621 1490 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John E. Dilley
- Registered owner: Fort Wayne Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 1989, 14 hours before
- Departed: FWA, FORT WAYNE, IN
- Destination: FNT, FLINT, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 8,408 total, 1,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890603014269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890603014269A), Jun 3, 1989: Amtrst P51AMTR, Hamilton, IN, Substantial damage. Engine threw a rod. Brief engine fire. Used fire bottle and idle cut off. Stopped fire. Crash landed in a field.

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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