# NTSB MIA88FA178: Rockwell A9B, N7787V, Marianna, FL, May 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1988, 08:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Marianna, FL
- Coordinates: 30.850669, -85.229957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8507&lon=-85.2300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA178

## 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, maneuvering
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT SUSTAINED A COMPLETE & SUDDEN POWER LOSS WHILE ENGAGED IN AG OPERATIONS AT LOW ALT. THE PROP, FWD PORTION OF THE CRANKSHAFT, CYL HEAD & OTHER ENG PARTS SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE ACFT STRUCK A ROW OF 40 FT TREES & CRASHED TO THE GRND. AN EXAM OF THE FAILED CRANKSHAFT REVEALED THAT IT HAD SEPARATED JUST FWD OF THE NO. 2 MAIN BEARING. LAB ANALYSIS REVEALED EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE. THE OWNER OF THE ACFT STATED THE ENG HAD BEEN OVERHAULED IN THE PAST BUT HE DID NOT KNOW WHEN OR BY WHOM. ENG LOGBOOK ENTRIES DID NOT REFLECT ANY ENG OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7787V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7787V-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 1540, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL A9B
- Registry model: [Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-callair-a-9b) (registry code 0144206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1540
- Airframe hours: 1678
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-G1C5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Panhandle Aviation
- Registered owner: Wayne P. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 20,000 total, 500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 52 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 19880525023579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880525023579A), May 25, 1988: Airpts A9B, Marianna, FL, Substantial damage. Crankshaft failed during a spray run. Dumped load to try to clear trees and crashed. No record of engine overhauls.

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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