# NTSB CHI97LA006: Callair B1A, N6203X, Nebraska City, NE, October 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 9, 1996, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Nebraska City, NE - Coordinates: 40.669841, -95.859252 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6698&lon=-95.8593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10475 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10475/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA006 ## Probable cause a supercharger bearing failure. A factor was the excessive sink rate during the forced landing. ## 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 - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - worn (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported he was cruising at 3,300 feet mean sea level. All gauges were 'normal.' He heard a 'loud back fire' and the engine lost power. He pushed the throttle, mixture and propeller control full forward. The engine continued to run at 'idle speed.' During the subsequent forced landing, he landed with 'low airspeed and high sink rate.' The landing gear collapsed and the engine was bent downward. Examination of the engine revealed several spark plugs and the top of the pistons were oil covered. Several spark plugs 'appeared to have been running rich.' There was 'a lot of oil in the plenum chamber' and the supercharger blades had 'excessive rub on the rear face.' ## Factual narrative On October 9, 1996, at 1430 central daylight time, a Callair B1A, N6203X, sustained substantial damage when the landing gear collapsed during a forced landing near Nebraska City, Nebraska. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91, ferry flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Yankton, South Dakota, about 1240, with a planned destination of Shenandoah, Iowa. The pilot reported he was cruising at 3,300 feet mean sea level. All gauges were "normal." He heard a "loud back fire" and the engine lost power. He pushed the throttle, mixture and propeller control full forward. The engine continued to run at "idle speed." He initially attempted to land at the nearest airport, Grunman County Airport, but "it became evident" that he would not make it to the airport. He selected a field for a forced landing. He lowered the flaps, then noticed farm equipment in the field. He side stepped to a different field and landed with "low airspeed and high sink rate." He landed "flat" on the main landing gear. The gear collapsed and the engine was bent downward. He egressed the airplane with minor injury. The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector who examined the engine reported that several spark plugs and the top of the pistons were oil covered. Several spark plugs "appeared to have been running rich." There was "a lot of oil in the plenum chamber." The supercharger blades had "excessive rub on the rear face." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6203X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6203X-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 10004, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Callair B1A - Registry model: [Aero Commander CALLAIR B-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-callair-b-1a) (registry code 0144308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10004 - Engines: P&W R-985 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Graham Lott - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1996, 1 hours before - Departed: YKN, YANKTON, SD - Destination: SDA, SHENANDOAH, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 940 total, 5 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 18 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19961009031519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961009031519A), Oct 9, 1996: Slinds B1A, Nebraska City, NE, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine lost power and pilot made emergency landing in a bean field. (.4)the pilot reported he was cruising at 3,300 feet mean sea level. All gauges… 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.