# NTSB CHI92DCD07: Bernard W. Resnik ACRO-SPECIAL, N79WA, Earlham, IA, July 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1992, 20:40 local (Jul 2, 1992, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Earlham, IA
- Coordinates: 41.490024, -94.119491 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4900&lon=-94.1195&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 September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15211
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DCD07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15211/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DCD07

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF TOTAL ENGINE POWER WHEN A FAILED FLAPPER VALVE IN THE AIR BOX BLOCKED THE FLOW OF AIR THROUGH THE CARBURETOR THROAT.

## 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
  - induction air control/system - blocked(total) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT ACCIDENT AIRPLANE LOST ENGINE POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB FROM TAKEOFF.  IT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT DESCRIBED HOW HE HAD BEEN FLYING ABOUT 45 MINUTES AND HAD DONE TWO LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS.  DURING THE THIRD TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE HAD CLIMBED ABOUT 75 TO 100 FEET WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR AIR BOX REVEALED A FLAPPER VALVE IN THE AIR BOX HAD BROKEN. THE VALVE PLATE WAS FREE TO MOVE ABOUT IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SHAFT AND THE CARBURETOR AIR INTAKE.  THE PLATE HAD BEEN SECURED TO THE SHAFT WITH TWO SPOT WELDS.  THE SURFACE OF THE BROKEN WELDS APPEARED DULL EXCEPT FOR A SMALL PORTION ON ONE WELD WHERE THE BREAK APPEARED SHINY.  THE CARBURETOR AIR BOX HAD BEEN PURCHASED FROM AN AIRCRAFT SALVAGE OPERATOR FOR INSTALLATION ON THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79WA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79WA), registered now, S/N 3, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BERNARD W. RESNIK ACRO-SPECIAL (ACRO-SPECI)
- Registry model: [Resnik Bernard W ACRO-SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/resnik-bernard-w-acro-special) (registry code 05655DX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 4AC-176-C2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4ac-176-c2) (registry code 27049, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3
- Airframe hours: 101
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Price, James F
- Registered owner: Carey, James D
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1992, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: rear; flight hours: 357 total, 5 in this make and model, 357 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 25 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 19920701023589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920701023589A), Jul 1, 1992: Amtr ACROJET SPEC, Earlham, IA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Clipped tree tops and crashed. Carburetor airbox valve weld broke. Blocked inlet.

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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