# NTSB CHI95LA284: Van Zwoll Viking, N69VZ, Decker, IN, August 10, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 1995, 12:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Decker, IN - Coordinates: 38.51044, -87.520439 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5104&lon=-87.5204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10001/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA284 ## Probable cause the failure of the head gasket resulting in a coolant leak and subsequent engine overtemperature. A factor was the unsuitable terrain encountered in the cornfield. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - cooling system - leak (cause) - engine assembly - overtemperature - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - crop - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS CRUISING AT 2,000 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL AND NOTED THE WATER PRESSURE GAGE WAS PEGGED AT THE MAXIMUM INDICATION. HE IMMEDIATELY REDUCED POWER AND BEGAN SEARCHING FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING SITE. HE HEARD A 'LOUD POP' AND OBSERVED COOLANT ON THE WINDSCREEN. THE OIL TEMPERATURE INDICATION BEGAN TO INCREASE. HE TRIMMED FOR BEST GLIDE AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN WHEN THE OIL TEMPERATURE REACHED 285 DEGREES. DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN A CORN FIELD, ONE OF THE LIFT STRUTS SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE HEAD GASKETS WAS LEAKING AND COOLANT WAS ESCAPING FROM A LEAKING FREEZE PLUG. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S TORQUE PROCEDURE WAS FOLLOWED WHEN HE INSTALLED THE HEAD. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 1995, at 1250 central daylight time, an experimental Van Zwoll Viking, N69VZ, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Decker, Indiana. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated in Evansville, Indiana, at 1230, with a planned destination of Mount Carmel, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he was cruising at 2,000 feet mean sea level. He noted the water pressure gage was pegged at the maximum indication. He immediately reduced power from 4,000 rpm to 2,500 rpm and began searching for an emergency landing site. He heard a "loud pop" and observed coolant on the windscreen. The oil temperature indication began to increase. He trimmed for best glide and shut the engine down when the oil temperature reached 285 degrees. He reported that he searched for an emergency landing site and the best location appeared to be a corn field. During the landing, one of the lift struts sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that one of the head gaskets was leaking and coolant was escaping from a leaking freeze plug. The pilot reported that the manufacturer's torque procedure was followed when he installed the head. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N69VZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69VZ-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 1, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VAN ZWOLL VIKING - Registry model: [Vanzwoll Dean C VIKING](https://openairdocs.org/model/vanzwoll-dean-c-viking) (registry code 05616MM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Ford CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ford-conversion) (registry code 26701, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 610 - Engines: FORD 3.8L V-6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dean C. Van Zwoll - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1995, 15 hours before - Departed: EVV, EVANSVILLE, IN - Destination: AJG, MOUNT CARMEL, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,325 total, 610 in this make and model, 2,250 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F ## 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 19950810023919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950810023919A), Aug 10, 1995: Klimov VK1, Decker, IN, Substantial damage. Overheated coolant. Pop. Coolant on windscreen. Hot oil. Shutdown. Crash landed. Leaking freeze plug and headgasket (-23) aircraft has a water cooled ford V6… 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.