# NTSB CHI92DCD08: John Schackel Q2, N84JS, Rutland, IA, July 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1992, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Rutland, IA
- Coordinates: 42.759979, -94.289161 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7600&lon=-94.2892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DCD08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DCD08

## Probable cause

A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories - separation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE PILOT NOTED AN ENGINE VIBRATION FOLLOWED BY AN INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE PROPELLER AND SPINNER.  THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND LANDED IN A SOYBEAN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER IN SOFT TERRAIN.  THE PROPELLER AND SPINNER WERE RECOVERED STILL ATTACHED TO THE FRONT PORTION OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT.  EXAMINATION OF THE CRANKSHAFT SHOWED AN AREA OF WEAR AT THE KEYSLOT WHERE THE PROPELLER FLANGE IS FITTED OVER THE SHAFT. EXAMINATION OF THE INSIDE WALLS OF THE PROPELLER FLANGE SHOWED AN 'AREA OF CONCENTRATED FRETTING WHICH LEFT A DISTINCT WEAR MARK THAT MATCHES THE FRACTURE SURFACE OF THE FAILED CRANKSHAFT.' ACCORDING TO MAINTENANCE RECORDS THE CONVERTED AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE HAD BEEN IN SERVICE SINCE MAY 23, 1987 AND HAD ACCUMULATED APPROXIMATELY 387 HOURS IN SERVICE.  THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION ON THE AIRPLANE WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON MAY 21, 1992, APPROXIMATELY 3 FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84JS-1993-11-16), registration cancelled 1993-11-16, S/N 2329 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOHN SCHACKEL Q2
- Registry model: [Schnackel John A Q2](https://openairdocs.org/model/schnackel-john-a-q2) (registry code 05645YR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2329
- Airframe hours: 387
- Engines: REVMASTER 2100 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Schackel, John A
- Registered owner: Schackel, John A
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: DOD, FORT DODGE, IA
- Destination: EST, ESTHERVILLE, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 611 total, 387 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FOD, 14 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 19920704023599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920704023599A), Jul 4, 1992: Amtrqk QUICKIE2, Humboldt, IA, Substantial damage. Prop and four inches of crankshaft departed aircraft inflight. Nosed over landing in bean 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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