# NTSB CHI89DEX04: North American SNJ-5, N3665F, Sellersburg, IN, June 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1989, 10:51 local (14:51 UTC)
- Place: Sellersburg, IN
- Coordinates: 38.390995, -85.749755 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3910&lon=-85.7498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEX04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEX04

## Probable cause

THE INGESTION OF A FOREIGN OBJECT AND SUBSEQUENT SUPERCHARGER IMPELLER FAILURE.

## 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
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - foreign object damage (cause)
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure,total
  - engine assembly,piston - seized
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED ON A CROSSWIND LEG SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED A TELEPHONE WIRE AND 4 TO 5 FOOT HIGH MOUNDS OF DIRT DURING THE FORCED LANDING PRIOR TO COMING TO REST INVERTED. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE SUPERCHARGER IMPELLER WHICH RESULTED IN THE INGESTION OF METAL INTO THE ENGINE AND SUBSEQUENT PISTON SEIZURE. EVIDENCE OF FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE WAS VISIBLE ON THE IMPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3665F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3665F), registered now, S/N 84930 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-5
- Registry model: [North American SNJ-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-5) (registry code 6400418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 84930
- Airframe hours: 4323
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Blue Sky Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1989, 8 hours before
- Departed: JVY, SELLERSBURG, IN
- Airport: JVY, Clark County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,841 total, 15 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU, 11 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 19890602014109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890602014109A), Jun 2, 1989: Namer SNJ5, Jeffersonville, IN, Substantial damage. Nosed over after hitting dirt mounds in a field on a forced landing due to power loss. Impeller failed.

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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