# NTSB CHI93LA289: Champion 402, N9981Y, Valparaiso, IN, July 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1993, 11:31 local (16:31 UTC)
- Place: Valparaiso, IN
- Coordinates: 41.470443, -87.049324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4704&lon=-87.0493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9257/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA289

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST STACK ASSEMBLY.

## 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
  - 1 engine
  - exhaust system,stack - failure,total (cause)
  - ignition system,ignition lead - melted
  - ignition system,magneto - shorted
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 27, THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT DETERMINED A RETURN TO THE AIRPORT WAS NOT POSSIBLE, SO HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A LARGE FIELD TO THE NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT.  AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST STACK ASSEMBLY, CHAMPION PART NUMBER 4-1218, HAD CRACKED AND FAILED AT A WELD.  THE P-LEADS WERE MELTED BY THE HOT EXHAUST GASES, SHORTING OUT THE MAGNETOS.

## Factual narrative

On July 27, 1993, about 1131 central daylight time, a Champion 402; N9981Y, operated by Stephen E. Unger, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a field 1.5 miles west of Valparaiso, Indiana.  The airline transport pilot and one passenger were uninjured.  The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions with no flight plan on file.  The flight originated form Valparaiso, Indiana.

Immediately following takeoff from runway 27 at Valparaiso, the right engine lost power.  The pilot determined a return to the airport was not possible, and made a forced landing in a large field to the northwest of the airport.

The aircraft's right wing was damaged.  Further investigation found the exhaust stack assembly, Champion part number 4-1218, cracked and separated at the weld.  The P-Leads were melted by the hot gases, shorting out the magnetos.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9981Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9981Y), registered now, S/N 25, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 402
- Registry model: [Champion 402](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-402) (registry code 2110204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0025
- Airframe hours: 868
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Unger, Stephen E.
- Registered owner: Unger, Stephen E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 14,400 total, 15 in this make and model, 8,800 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 36 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 19930727025739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930727025739A), Jul 27, 1993: Bbavia 402CHAMP, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Power loss right engine. Landed off airport. Exhaust stack failed at weld. Melted p leads. Will fly single engine.

## Other investigations on N9981Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA71DWG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71DWG02), Jul 6, 1970: Champion C-402 (N9981Y), Ephrata, WA, substantial damage

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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