# NTSB LAX07LA045: Nanchang CJ-6A, N8181C, Queen Creek, AZ, November 23, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 23, 2006, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Queen Creek, AZ - Coordinates: 33.425, -111.541666666667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4250&lon=-111.5417&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64927 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64927/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA045 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power resulting from the failure of the engine's air compressor due to a seized piston, which resulted in the stoppage of the oil pump, fuel pump, and tachometer generator, in addition to the compressor. The underlying reason for the piston seizure and air compressor failure is undetermined. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - engine accessories - seized (cause) - engine accessories - failure (cause) - pneumatic system - failure - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - fuel system,pump - inoperative (cause) - lubricating system,oil scavenge pump - inoperative (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The airplane experienced a loss of engine power and collided with a berm during a forced landing on a private airstrip. The pilot stated that during the flight he experienced problems with the engine's air compressor. Several minutes later he experienced a total loss of power. He opted to perform a forced landing at an abandoned airstrip. While on the landing roll, the airplane encountered a berm and the landing gear collapsed. The compressor and gearbox assembly were examined by a maintenance facility. The accessory gearbox had failed as a result of the air compressor piston seizing. The inhibited movement of the gearbox resulted in the failure of the oil pump, fuel pump, air compressor, and tachometer generator. ## Factual narrative On November 23, 2006, about 1230 mountain standard time, a Nanchang CJ-6A, N8181C, experienced a loss of engine power and collided with a berm during a forced landing on a private airstrip near Queen Creek, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local area flight departed from Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona, about 1200. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot stated that while maneuvering in the vicinity of Flacon Filed, he experienced problems with the engine driven air compressor. Several minutes later he experienced a total loss of power. He opted to perform a forced landing at an abandoned airstrip located 16 miles southeast from Falcon Field. While on the landing roll, the airplane encountered a berm and the right main gear collapsed. The left main landing gear and nose gear subsequently collapsed, resulting in damage to the wings. With the approval of the Safety Board IIC, the pilot had the compressor and gearbox assembly examined by a maintenance facility. A mechanic found that the accessory gearbox had failed, as a result of the air compressor piston seizing in the cavity. The inhibited movement resulted in the failure of the oil pump, fuel pump, air compressor, and tachometer generator. The Safety Board IIC spoke with several airplane mechanics at maintenance facilities specializing in Nanchang airplanes. The mechanics all reported that they had never seen an incident of an air compressor failure. A search of the Service Difficulty Report (SDR) database further revealed no evidence of such an occurrence happening previously. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8181C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8181C), registered now, S/N 2432061, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Nanchang CJ-6A - Registry model: [Nanchang China CJ-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/nanchang-china-cj-6a) (registry code 056183N) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Vedeneyev M14P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/vedeneyev-m14p) (registry code 63601, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2432061 - Airframe hours: 2492.3 - Engines: Huosai 6JA 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006, 27 hours before - Departed: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 1,251 total, 34 in this make and model, 1,202 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: FFZ, 16 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 20061123029529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061123029529A), Nov 23, 2006: Nancng CJ6A, Mesa, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) 11-23-2006, 1200 Local. The pilot [privacy data omitted] departed from kffz in his nanchang CJ-6A, N8181C, s/n 2432061. The aircraft experienced a loss… 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.