# NTSB FTW84FA347: Bakeman-Chapman Cassutt III M, N520BC, Olin, TX, August 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1984, 19:00 local (Aug 13, 1984, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Olin, TX
- Coordinates: 31.980464, -98.019462 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9805&lon=-98.0195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21144
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA347
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21144/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA347

## 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
  - combustion assembly,outer casing - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil magnetic plug - not engaged (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil tank - dumped (cause)
  - aircraft service - improper, other person (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT HAD PURCHASED THE ACFT EARLIER ON DAY OF ACCIDENT. HE HAD NO PREVIOUS TIME IN THE ACFT. HE FLEW FOR 220 MILES AND MADE FIRST LANDING. ACFT SERVICED WITH FUEL ONLY. TAKEOFF WAS MADE AND HE FLEW FOR 60 MILES. ENG BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND BLACK SMOKE OBSERVED. PLT MADE EMERG LANDING AND TOUCHED DOWN HARD IN LEVEL SOD FIELD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE #1 ROD FAILED FROM OVERHEAT CAUSED BY LACK OF OIL. OIL DRAIN PLUG MISSING. EVIDENCE OF DIRT IN THE HOLE THREADS. NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT ON DRAIN PLUG. ENG TEAR DOWN AND NTSB METALLURGICAL EXAM CONFIRMED OIL STARVATION TO ROD BEARING COMPONENTS. LAST OIL CHANGE WAS MORE THAN ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN UNTIL THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N520BC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BAKEMAN-CHAPMAN CASSUTT III M (CASSUTT II)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: S/N BC 471
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jon. M. Chenettec
- Registered owner: Raymond F. Blanc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 28, 1984
- Departed: LZZ, LAMASA, TX
- Destination: OKMULAEE, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACT, 60 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 19840812039929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840812039929A), Aug 12, 1984: Amtrsx CASSUTT3M, Olin, TX, Destroyed. Lost oil pressure and engine vibrated with smoke from exhaust. Terrain hilly,tree covered. Connecting rod broke.

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.

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