# NTSB FTW91LA004: Waco RNF, N11270, Lampasas, TX, October 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1990, 11:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Lampasas, TX
- Coordinates: 31.060012, -98.180732 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0600&lon=-98.1807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA004

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF A CYLINDER INTAKE VALVE SPRING.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER AS THE PILOT TURNED CROSSWIND AFTER TAKEOFF, FOLLOWED B A COMPLETE POWER LOSS DURING THE TURN TO DOWNWIND. THE PILOT SET UP FOR A FORCED LANDING TO THE BEST AVAILABLE FIELD WHICH WAS COVERED WITH BRUSH AND TREES. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE ENGINE HAD A MOMENTARY SURGE OF POWER AND THEN QUIT AGAIN. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NO. 6 CYLINDER INTAKE VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN AND THE CYLINDER WAS RUNNING COLD. ADDITIONALLY, PARTICULATE CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11270](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11270-2013-10-25), registration cancelled 2013-10-25, S/N 3467, built 1931 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO RNF
- Registry model: [Waco RNF](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-rnf) (registry code 9600422) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Warner SS40&50](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-ss40-50) (registry code 64503, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3467
- Airframe hours: 2751
- Engines: WARNER SS50 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mccluney, Cliff A.
- Registered owner: Mccluney, Cliff A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1990, 4 hours before
- Departed: T28
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: T28, Lampasas Muni., runway 16, 3,810 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,000 total, 140 in this make and model, 5,130 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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