# NTSB MIA94LA194: Aerosport Quail, N10JB, Waynesboro, MS, August 11, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1994, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Waynesboro, MS
- Coordinates: 31.670228, -88.64048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6702&lon=-88.6405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37586
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37586/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA194

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE [OVERHAUL] OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT.

## 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,crankshaft - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing

## Analysis

THE EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE HAD JUST REACHED CRUISE ALTITUDE WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A CORNFIELD AND THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT HAD SEIZED DUE TO THE CRANKSHAFT HAVING NO END PLAY, AS REQUIRED. THE CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARING HAD ALSO FAILED ALLOWING THE DOWEL RODS TO SCORE INTO THE CRANKSHAFT. THE LOGBOOKS WERE INCOMPLETE; THE PERSON WHO INSTALLED THE CRANKSHAFT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On August 11, 1994, about 1630 central daylight time, an Aerosport Quail, homebuilt airplane, N10JB, registered to Henry W. Schmidt, crashed into a corn field after the engine quit while climbing to the traffic pattern at the Waynesboro Municipal Airport, Waynesboro, Mississippi.  The flight was a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight in the local area and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private- rated pilot received minor injuries.  The flight had originated about 15 minutes earlier from the Wayneboro, Mississippi Airport.

Examination of the wreckage by FAA personnel revealed no signs of rotational damage on the propeller, and when it was rotated by hand, travel was limited to about 45 degrees either direction. The conversion Volkswagen engine was removed and transported to a local shop for teardown. The teardown revealed that the crankshaft had been installed by an unknown person without the required end play. Without the end play the main bearing failed and the dowel rods scored into the crankshaft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10JB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10JB-2008-10-02), registration cancelled 2008-10-02, S/N BAQ-1, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPORT QUAIL
- Registry model: [Biggs AEROSPORT QUAIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/biggs-aerosport-quail) (registry code 05630EW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: BAQ-1
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN CONVERSION 36 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Davis, John P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 200 total, 10 in this make and model, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEI, 15 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 19940811021259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940811021259A), Aug 11, 1994: Amtrai AERSPRTQUAIL, Waynesboro, MS, Substantial damage. Lost power climbing in traffic pattern. Crashed into corn field. Engine crankshaft installed incorrectly broke.

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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