# NTSB LAX07CA181: Dutton Air Camper, N86698, Atwater, CA, June 1, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 1, 2007, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Atwater, CA
- Coordinates: 37.349998, -120.583335
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3500&lon=-120.5833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65923
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65923/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA181

## Probable cause

a loss of power due to the failure of the number 2 connecting rod.

## 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,connecting rod - failure (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed
- Nose over, emergency landing

## Analysis

The airplane experienced a loss of engine power and nosed over in a field during the forced landing.  The pilot reported that after flying for about 40 minutes he noticed the oil temperature gauge begin to rise.  He had started looking for a suitable place to land when the oil temperature and engine temperature gauges both went beyond the red line.  At 2,500 feet the engine made loud metallic clanking noises and began to shake violently.  He shut the engine down and proceeded to make an emergency landing in a plowed field.  The airplane nosed over during the ground roll.  Examination of the antique Ford Model B engine revealed that the connecting rod for the number 2 piston failed.  The time since last overhaul on the engine was 6 hours.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after flying for about 40 minutes he noticed the oil temperature gauge begin to rise.  He started looking for a suitable place to land when the oil temperature and engine temperature gauges both went beyond the red line.  At 2,500 feet the engine made loud metallic clanking noises and began shaking violently.  He shut the engine down and continued to make an emergency landing in to a plowed field.  Upon landing the airplane nosed over.  Examination of the engine revealed that the connecting rod for the number 2 piston failed.  The engine time since last overhaul was 6 hours.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86698](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N86698), registered now, S/N D-1, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Dutton Air Camper
- Registry model: [Dunton MP](https://openairdocs.org/model/dunton-mp) (registry code 05601HP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Ford CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ford-conversion) (registry code 26701, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DL1
- Airframe hours: 122.5
- Engines: Ford Model B 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lennert Von Clemm
- Registered owner: California Antique Aricraft
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2007, 6 hours before
- Departed: KPDT, Hollister, CA
- Destination: KMCE, Merced, CA
- Airport: KMCE, McCready-Merced, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: rear; flight hours: 24,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F

## 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 20070601011799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070601011799A), Jun 1, 2007: Amtr PIETENPOL, Atwater, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Enroute from 1C9 to mce experienced partial loss of power and rough running engine. Pilot shut down engine and performed off airport emergency landing in…

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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