# NTSB CHI90LA249: Ryan PT-22A, N5481L, Greenville, MI, August 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1990, 18:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, MI
- Coordinates: 43.169467, -85.249404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1695&lon=-85.2494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14764/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA249

## Probable cause

SEPARATION OF A LOOSE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY IN FLIGHT, AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE EXECUTION OF A FORCED LANDING.

## 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
  - engine assembly,cylinder - loose (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE. WHEN HE REDUCED POWER TO IDLE, THE MISFIRING STOPPED, BUT WHEN HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO CRUISE POWER THE ENGINE MISFIRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES AND THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER DEPARTED THE ENGINE. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO A FIELD CONTAINING COR WHICH WAS 6-8 FEET HIGH. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED-OVER ON LANDING ROLL AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER WAS LOOSE PRIOR TO SEPARATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5481L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5481L-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 1861 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ryan PT-22A
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1861
- Airframe hours: 1245
- Engines: KINNER R-55 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David R. Stevens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 1989, 14 hours before
- Departed: 6D6, GREENVILLE, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,691 total, 43 in this make and model, 1,092 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Observed at: GRR, 20 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 19900829037509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900829037509A), Aug 29, 1990: Ryan PT22A, Greenville, MI, Substantial damage. Engine misfired then lost top cylinder. Landed in tall corn. Flipped over. Cylinder mounting bolts had sheared.

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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