# NTSB MIA96LA018: Boeing E75N1, N1535M, Wauchula, FL, November 4, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 4, 1995, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Wauchula, FL - Coordinates: 27.539289, -81.800765 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5393&lon=-81.8008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37939 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37939/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA018 ## Probable cause A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO WORN SERRATED TEETH ON THE VALVE TIMING GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE CAMSHAFT DRIVE GEAR WHICH PREVENTED THE VALVE TRAIN AND GENERATOR FROM OPERATING. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## 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,camshaft - worn (cause) - engine assembly,timing gear - worn (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 1,500 FEET AGL WHEN THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING TO THE ONLY AVAILABLE LANDING AREA. ON LANDING ROLLOUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY REVEALED THE SERRATED TEETH ON THE VALVE TIMING GEAR AND THE INTERMEDIATE CAM GEAR WERE WORN, PREVENTING THE VALVE TRAIN AND GENERATOR FROM OPERATING. ## Factual narrative On November 4, 1995, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Boeing E75N1, N1535M, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a total loss of engine power in cruise flight, and made a forced landing in the vicinity of Wauchula, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, about 1 hour 25 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he was in cruise flight at 1,500 feet agl when the airplane experienced a decrease in engine rpm. He saw a flame in the vicinity of the engine exhaust and the engine made a "clunk, clunk" noise followed by a total loss of engine power. The left main landing gear collided with a drainage ditch on touchdown and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the engine assembly revealed the serrated teeth on the timing gear and intermediate cam drive gear were worn. This prevented the valve train and the generator from operating. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1535M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1535M), registered now, S/N 75-8520, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING E75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing E75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-e75n1) (registry code 1380154) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-8520 - Engines: CONTINENTAL W670A 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stanley W. Berry - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1995 - Departed: FLL, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Destination: LAL, LAKELAND, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,250 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,250 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SRQ, 25 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 19951104035919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951104035919A), Nov 4, 1995: Boeing E75N1, Wauchula, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power in cruise flight. Struck ditch landing. Nosed over. Timing gear and cam drive gear stripped. Valves quit ## Other investigations on N1535M (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 MIA89LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA160), May 27, 1989: Boeing E75N1 (N1535M), Fort Lauderdale, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. THE CROSSWIND AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF BRAKES WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. 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.