# NTSB LAX92LA327: Rockwell 112TC, N4581W, Glendale, AZ, July 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1992, 15:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Glendale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.659675, -112.179084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6597&lon=-112.1791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA327

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO EXCESSIVE CARBON DEPOSITS ON THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE, AND, THE PILOTS ATTEMPTED OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES.

## 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
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - jammed (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE WAS WITNESSED BY SEVERAL A & P MECHANICS WORKING AT THE GLENDALE AIRPORT.  ONE WITNESS SAID THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING ROUGH AND BACKFIRING DURING THE PRETAKEOFF ENGINE RUNUP.  THE AIRCRAFT INITIATED A TAKEOFF AND THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE ROUGHNESS AND BACKFIRING CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL AND INITIAL CLIMB.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO MANEUVER TO THE DOWN WIND LEG AS IF THE PILOT WERE ATTEMPTING TO RETURN FOR A LANDING, THEN THE ENGINE CEASED RUNNING ALTOGETHER.  THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A CORN FIELD ABOUT ONE HALF MILE FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND SHEARED OFF THE LANDING GEAR.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY AN A & P MECHANIC UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION DUE TO CARBON BUILDUP ON THE VALVE STEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4581W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4581W-1994-07-07), registration cancelled 1994-07-07, S/N 13071 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 112TC
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 112TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112tc) (registry code 7630306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13071
- Airframe hours: 1495
- Engines: LYCOMING TO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kevin D. Nielsen
- Registered owner: Kevin D. Nielsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1992, 33 hours before
- Departed: GEU
- Destination: O45, VACAVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 155 total, 68 in this make and model, 105 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920731028479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920731028479A), Jul 31, 1992: Gulstm 112TC, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. Observed to have rough engine on runup. Departed continued rough. Tried return. Crashed. Exhaust valve stuck open.

## Other investigations on N4581W (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN83LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA209), Sep 4, 1983: Rockwell 112TC (N4581W), Durango, CO, substantial damage

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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