# NTSB CHI96LA270: Geide SPORT-A, N1033B, Slater, MO, August 4, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 1996, 11:25 local (16:25 UTC) - Place: Slater, MO - Coordinates: 39.219005, -93.060852 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2190&lon=-93.0609&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 4, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10338 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA270 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10338/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA270 ## Probable cause failure of a #2 connecting rod bolt, which led to a jammed connecting rod and subsequent overload separation of the #2 cylinder. A factor relating to the accident was: lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing. ## 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,connecting rod bolt - failure (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod - jammed (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - overload - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The pilot said that the airplane was cruising at 2,500 feet mean sea level (MSL) when 'the engine began to throw oil on the windscreen. There was no suitable terrain for a normal landing within gliding distance, so (I) had to put down in a corn and bean field. The corn stalks were over 10 feet tall and adjacent bean field foliage was 3 feet tall.' The airplane 'clipped' the tops of four rows of corn, hit bushes between the corn and bean fields, then 'made it' to the bean field, where it came to rest. Examination of the airplane revealed a 4-inch diameter hole in the engine casing above the number two cylinder rod assembly. One of the connecting rod bolts was broken. The other connecting rod bolt and connecting rod end cap were missing. The number two cylinder had pushed free of the engine case. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 1996, at 1125 central daylight time (cdt), a Sport- A, N1033B, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when the airplane's engine lost power. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane impacted the terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated at Kirksville, Missouri, at 1010 cdt, and was en route to Warrensburg, Missouri. In his written statement, the pilot said that the airplane was cruising at 2,500 feet mean sea level (MSL) when "the engine began to throw oil on the windscreen. There was no suitable terrain for a normal landing within gliding distance, so (I) had to put down in a corn and bean field. The corn stalks were over 10 feet tall and adjacent bean field foliage was 3 feet tall." The airplane "clipped the top of the last four rows of corn, but made it to the bean field." The airplane impacted upright in the bean field. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage and the site where the accident occurred found impact damage to a row of 4-foot high bushes which separated the corn field and the bean field. Two ground scars corresponding to where the airplane's main landing gear had separated were found in bean field furrows which ran perpendicular to the airplane's ground roll path. Examination of the airplane wreckage showed the left wing spar bent aft. The left wing exhibited numerous wrinkles. The right upper and lower longerons were bent at the cockpit and midway between the cockpit and the vertical stabilizer. Both lower left and right longerons were cracked at the landing gear mounting attachments. The empennage was undamaged. One propeller blade was bent slightly aft. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Streaks of oil were found on both the forward and rear cockpit windscreens and the vertical stabilizer. Examination of the engine revealed a 4-inch diameter hole in the engine casing above the number two cylinder rod assembly. One of the connecting rod bolts was broken. The other connecting rod bolt and connecting rod end cap were missing. The number two cylinder had pushed free of the engine case. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1033B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1033B), registered now, S/N 1, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Geide SPORT-A - Registry model: [Geide Richard F SPORT-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/geide-richard-f-sport-a) (registry code 05655V5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Airframe hours: 675 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lawrence E. Rahal - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1996, 25 hours before - Departed: IRK, KIRKSVILLE, MO - Destination: 9K4, WARRENSBURG, MO - Airport: 9K5, Slater Memorial, runway 4, 2,455 × 145 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 12,872 total, 40 in this make and model, 12,852 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 11 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DMO, 25 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 19960804020639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960804020639A), Aug 4, 1996: Amtrtn SPORTAIRE2, Slater, MO, Substantial damage. Lost power en route oil on windshield. Hit bushes landing cross furrows in bean field. Thru a rod,thru case at cyl. 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.