# NTSB FTW88FA077: Fairchild M-62C, N63739, Arlington, TX, March 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1988, 08:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, TX
- Location: 32.7357° N, 97.1081° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arlington, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7357&lon=-97.1081&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA077

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE NUMBER SIX CYLINDER AND PISTON.

## 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 - normal
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 1,800 FEET MSL THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE VIBRATION AND THEN OBSERVED A PIECE OF METAL DEPART THE AIRPLANE. THE ENGINE QUIT PRODUCING POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS PERFORMED IN A HIGHLY POPULATED RESIDENTIAL AREA IN A SOFTBALL FIELD, SURROUNDED BY A WIRE FENCE. TOUCHDOWN OCCURRED ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR IN GRASS, FOLLOWED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BY A NOSE OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION. THE NUMBER SIX CYLINDER, AND PIECES OF ITS PISTON, WERE FOUND AT THE SCENE SEPARTATED FROM THE RADIAL ENGINE ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63739](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63739), registered now, S/N 1223-AE, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD M-62C
- Registry model: [Fairchild M-62C(PT-23A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-m-62c-pt-23a) (registry code 3371630) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental R670-SERIES series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-r670-series-series) (registry code 17016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 43-1223AE
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ada Aircraft Museum Inc.
- Registered owner: Ada Aircraft Museum, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1987, 153 hours before
- Departed: 04TX, SAGINAW, TX
- Destination: F67, GRAND PRAIRIE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,297 total, 302 in this make and model, 1,184 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880306049859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880306049859A), Mar 6, 1988: Frchld M62C, Arlington, TX, Substantial damage. Engine failed en route over congested area. Nosed over landing in a soccer field. Engine cylinder disinigrated.

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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