FTW96LA263

NTSB accident investigation · Wsk Pzl Mielec AN-2 · Weir, TX · June 20, 1996

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
June 20, 1996, 09:50 local (14:50 UTC)
Place
Weir, TX
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
N67ANWsk Pzl Mielec AN-2
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report February 18, 1997
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19960620014599A
Case key
19874

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

engine seizure for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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 power(total) - mech failure/malfClimb - to cruise
Engine assembly - seizedCause
Forced landingEmergency descent/landing
On ground/water collision with objectLanding - roll
Terrain condition - none suitableFactor
Ground loop/swerve - intentionalPilot in command
Object - building(nonresidential)

Analysis

During departure climb, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. Emergency procedures were executed and a forced approach/landing was initiated to a field. While on the approach, the pilot observed a ditch running across the proposed landing pathway. He turned the airplane right to parallel the ditch. During the landing roll, the pilot attempted to avoid a building by intentionally ground looping the airplane. During this avoidance maneuver, the left wing struck the building. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine had seized due to an internal failure. The reason for the engine's internal failure was not determined.

Factual narrative

On June 20, 1996, at 0950 central daylight time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec AN-2, N67AN, registered to and operated by a private owner, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Weir, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. A flight plan was not filed for the flight which originated from Georgetown Municipal Airport, Georgetown, Texas.

The pilot reported the following information to the NTSB and the FAA inspector. During the departure climb from runway 18, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. Emergency procedures were executed and a forced approach/landing was initiated to a field. While on the approach the pilot observed a ditch running across the proposed landing pathway. The pilot elected to turn the airplane to the right to parallel the ditch. During the landing roll, the pilot attempted to avoid a building by intentionally ground looping the airplane. During this avoidance maneuver, the left wing struck the building.

Examination of the airplane by a FAA inspector revealed that both wings were structurally damaged, and the engine had seized due to an internal failure. The source of the engine's internal failure was not determined.

Aircraft

Registration
N67AN
Reported as
Wsk Pzl Mielec AN-2
Category
Airplane
Serial number
1G8813
Engine
Pzl-Kalisz ASZ-621R, 1,000 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Robin F. Diver
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection
Continuous airworthiness · October 11, 1995 · 60 hours before
Departed
6TV

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
56
Certificate
Airline transport
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Right
Flight hours
7,000 total · 50 in this make and model · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.