# NTSB CHI94LA286: Snow S2C, N9498R, Leslie, MO, August 17, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1994, 09:48 local (14:48 UTC)
- Place: Leslie, MO
- Coordinates: 38.40969, -91.229583 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4097&lon=-91.2296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9643
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9643/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA286

## Probable cause

the separation of the cylinder and subsequent oil leak.  A factor to the accident was the pilot's restricted visual outlook.

## 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 - separation (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - visual lookout - restricted (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE #2 CYLINDER (HEAD) SEPARATED AND OIL LEAKING FROM THE FRACTURE COVERED THE WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS OF THE AIRPLANE RESTRICTING THE PILOT'S VISIBILITY.  HE WAS UNABLE TO AVOID TREES ON APPROACH DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Factual narrative

On August 17, 1994, at 0948 central daylight time, a Snow S2C, N9498R, registered to Farmers Air Service, Inc., of Houston, Missouri, and operated by a commercial pilot, experienced a loss of engine power while in cruise flight.  During a forced landing the airplane impacted a tree and the terrain near Leslie, Missouri.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Pekin, Illinois, with the intended destination of Houston, Missouri, at 0800.

The airplane was being repositioned between aerial application jobs.

The pilot stated that while in cruise flight the engine lost power and oil covered the windshield and side door windows hampering his visibility.  He was unable to see to avoid trees on the approach during a forced landing.

Subsequent examination of the airplane engine revealed that the #2 cylinder (head) had separated through a crack at the parting threads between the cylinder head and cylinder barrel.  Lubricating oil was released through the open cylinder and valve mechanism into the cooling air flow around the cylinder and cylinder head.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9498R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9498R-1997-03-10), registration cancelled 1997-03-10, S/N 1138C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SNOW S2C
- Registry model: [Snow S2C](https://openairdocs.org/model/snow-s2c) (registry code 8380206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1138-C
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Farmers Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1994, 36 hours before
- Departed: C15, PEKIN, IL
- Destination: M48, HOUSTON, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 22,095 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 21,980 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19940817021669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940817021669A), Aug 17, 1994: Ayres S2C, Leslie, MO, Destroyed. Number 2 cylinder blew,engine oil on windshield which obstructed pilots vision during landing, pilot hit small tree (-4)during cruise flight the #2 cylinder…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.