# NTSB CHI92DCJ04: Callair A-9, N9627Z, Beaver City, NE, July 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1992, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Beaver City, NE
- Coordinates: 40.130435, -99.819351 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1304&lon=-99.8194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15222
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DCJ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15222/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DCJ04

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OVERHAUL OF THE LEFT MAGNETO, AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAGNETO/IGNITION SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## 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, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ENGAGED IN AERIAL APPLICATION ACTIVITIES WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.  HE STATED HE HAD JUST ENTERED A CLIMBING LEFT TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION AT THE END OF A SWATH RUN WHEN THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  HE LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD IN A TERRACED WHEAT FIELD, AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A TERRACE.  THE PILOT ESTIMATED HE WAS ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED.  POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEFT MAGNETO FAILED DUE TO A JAMMED FLYWEIGHT ON THE IMPULSE COUPLING.  THE CRANKSHAFT DRIVE GEAR THEN FAILED, AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9627Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9627Z-1994-06-15), registration cancelled 1994-06-15, S/N 1030 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CALLAIR A-9
- Registry model: [Callair A-9](https://openairdocs.org/model/callair-a-9) (registry code 1850120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1030
- Airframe hours: 3828
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Trail, John W & Hester A, doing business as Arapahoe Aerial Sprayers
- Registered owner: Trail, John W & Hester A
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1991, 79 hours before
- Departed: 37V, ARAPAHOE, NE
- Destination: 37V

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 7,632 total, 1,450 in this make and model, 7,516 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920710024849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920710024849A), Jul 10, 1992: Airpts A9, Beaver City, NE, Substantial damage. Lost power on spray ops. Struck terraces landing in wheat. Left mag gear flyweights jammed and failed crank gear.

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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