# NTSB FTW95LA343: Park Wizard, N5297E, Mineral Wells, TX, August 14, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 1995, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Mineral Wells, TX - Coordinates: 32.820606, -98.070236 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8206&lon=-98.0702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19538 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA343 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19538/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA343 ## Probable cause A SEIZED ENGINE FOLLOWING THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT FROM A LOOSE LINE DUE TO AN INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSTALLATION BY THE BUILDER. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## 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 - cooling system,lines - loose (cause) - maintenance,installation - inadequate, owner/builder (cause) - fluid,coolant - loss,total (cause) - powerplant - seized (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - other ## Analysis WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 2,000 FEET AGL, THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE TO A PLAYGROUND. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A BASEBALL BACKSTOP. EXAMINATION REVEALED A LOOSE ENGINE COOLANT LINE, THE LOSS OF ALL ANTIFREEZE, AND A SEIZED ENGINE CYLINDER. THE ENGINE COOLANT FITTING HAD A SMOOTH SURFACE WITH NO MECHANICAL MEANS (BEAD) TO RETAIN THE RUBBER COOLANT HOSE. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THE FITTING 'APPEARED AS A STANDARD PLUMBING FITTING.' ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE, ALL ENGINE AND RADIATOR CONNECTIONS DISTRIBUTED BY ROTAX CONTAIN A MECHANICAL MEANS TO RETAIN THE HOSE CONNECTIONS. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 1995, at 1520 central daylight time, a homebuilt Park Wizard, N5297E, collided with a ground structure during a forced landing near Mineral Wells, Texas. The commercial pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane, operated by the S-TEC Corporation under Title 14 CFR Part 91, departed the Mineral Wells Airport approximately 1515. The purpose of the flight was to flight check several autopilot components manufactured by S-TEC. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. During cruise flight at 2,000 feet MSL, the engine RPM decreased from 7,000 to 5,500 and, subsequently degrading to a complete loss of engine power. A forced landing was made to a playground. During the landing roll, the left wing sustained structural damage when it struck a "baseball backstop." The airplane was examined by the operator and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The water cooled engine was "stiff and felt notchy when rotated by hand." An engine coolant line was found loose from the cylinder head fitting and no engine coolant (antifreeze) remained in the radiator. Disassembly of the engine by the operator revealed that the "front cylinder had overheated and the piston had bound up in the cylinder, leaving aluminum scuff marks on the cylinder wall." An examination of the engine coolant fitting revealed a smooth mating surface with "no mechanical means to retain the rubber coolant hose." Technicians for the operator reported the "fitting appeared as a standard plumbing fitting." According to the engine manufacturer's representative, "all engine and radiator connections distributed by Rotax contain a mechanical means to retain the connections." The FAA experimental airworthiness certificate issued on March 30, 1994, states the airplane was built by Adrian Bloomfield. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5297E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5297E-1998-06-16), registration cancelled 1998-06-16, S/N 00010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PARK WIZARD - Registry model: [Park Ho Sun WIZARD](https://openairdocs.org/model/park-ho-sun-wizard) (registry code 05624YA) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0010 - Airframe hours: 80 - Engines: ROTAX 582LC 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: S-Tec Corporation - Registered owner: Laron Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 1995, 30 hours before - Departed: MWL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,048 total, 2 in this make and model, 2,876 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MWL, 3 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 19950814024039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950814024039A), Aug 14, 1995: Amtr WIZARDT38, Mineral Wells, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power. Landed play ground. Wing hit back stop. Loose engine coolant line. Engine siezed. Bogas connector. 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.