CHI98LA227

NTSB accident investigation · Commonwealth 185 · Oregon, WI · June 28, 1998

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
June 28, 1998, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
Place
Oregon, WI
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N92997Commonwealth 185
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report February 15, 2001
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19980628015229A
Case key
10941

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

the improper adjustment of the carburetor by an unqualified person. Factors to the accident were the annual inspection not being complied with and the lack of recent experience of the pilot.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerTakeoff - initial climb
Fuel system,carburetorCause
Maintenance,adjustment - improperUnqualified personCause
Maintenance,annual inspection - not complied withPilot in commandFactor
Lack of recent experiencePilot in commandFactor
Forced landingEmergency descent/landing
In flight collision with terrain/waterEmergency descent/landing

Analysis

The FAA inspector stated that the aircraft lost power soon after takeoff from the private airstrip. Post accident investigation showed that the aircraft was using auto-gas. There was no Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) found to be issued by the FAA for the use of auto-gas for the aircraft in question. Approximately 1/4 cup of oil was drained from the number two cylinder. The lower spark plug of the number two cylinder was oil fouled. The number one cylinder upper spark plug lead fell apart when removed from the cylinder. The right magneto did not produce a spark when a functional test was conducted. The pilot had stated that on the day of the accident he had noticed that the carburetor of his aircraft was running 'Over.' The pilot stated that he readjusted the carburetor to specifications. The most recent annual inspection was completed on October 10, 1996. The last 90-day student solo sign off was in October of 1997. According to the pilot's written statement there was no record of flying for at least 90 days prior to the date of the accident.

Factual narrative

On June 28, 1998, at 1430 central daylight time, a Commonwealth 185, NC92997, piloted by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff from runway 36 (2000' x 30', wet, grass) at a private airstrip near Oregon, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

In a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector's statement, the inspector stated that he had interviewed the pilot, subsequent to the accident, and the pilot stated that he had no recollection of the events surrounding the accident. The pilot had sustained, as a result of the accident, a closed head trauma just above his right eye and bridge of nose.

The FAA inspector stated, in his written statement, that the aircraft's engine lost power soon after takeoff from the private airstrip. The inspector stated that the aircraft was found 300 yards from the end of the airstrip.

Post accident investigation showed that the aircraft was using auto-gas. There was no Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) found to be issued by the FAA for the use of auto-gas in the above stated aircraft. Approximately 1/4 cup of oil was drained from the number two cylinder. The lower spark plug of the number two cylinder was oil fouled. The number one cylinder upper spark plug lead fell apart when removed from the cylinder. The right magneto did not produce a spark when a functional test was conducted. In a statement to a Dane County Sheriff's Office deputy, the pilot stated that on the day of the accident he had noticed that the carburetor of his aircraft was running "Over." The pilot stated that he readjusted the carburetor to specifications. According to a FAA inspector statement, the most recent annual inspection was completed on October 10, 1996.

The FAA inspector stated in a phone conversation, with the investigator-in-charge (IIC), that the last 90-day student solo sign off was in October of 1997. According to the pilot's written statement there was no record of flying for at least 90 days prior to the date of the accident.

Aircraft

Registration
N92997
Reported as
Commonwealth 185
Category
Airplane
Serial number
1731
Engine
Continental C85, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Louis E. Spink
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · October 1, 1996
Departed
PVT
Airport
PVT, runway 36, 2,000 × 30 ft, grass/turf

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
66
Certificate
Student
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
38 total · 38 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Variable at 6 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
81 °F, dew point 66 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
MSN, 15 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.