# NTSB NYC89FA029: Ryan Navion A, N5164K, Franklin, PA, November 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1988, 16:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, PA
- Coordinates: 41.389263, -79.830116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3893&lon=-79.8301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36257/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA029

## Probable cause

DUE TO IMPROPER GRADE OF FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE AND BENT AND BINDING EXHAUST VALVES, THE AIRPLANE ENGINE HAD A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. THE PILOT DID NOT ABORT THE TAKEOFF AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH TREES WHEN THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - bent (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft service - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE ENG SPUTTERING AND BACKFIRING DURING WHAT THEY REPORTED WAS A LONG, SLOW TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. THEY STATED THE ENG RPM SEEMED TO DECREASE AS THE ACFT PASSED THE TERMINAL BUILDING IN A SLOW SPEED, HIGH PITCH ATTIUDE. THE ACFT THEN DESCENDED BEHIND TREES. AUTO GAS WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM AND NO SUPPLEMENTAL TYPECERTIFICATE (STC) FOR AUTO GAS WAS FOUND FOR THE ACFT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE #2 EXHAUST VALVE WAS VISIBLY WARPED. THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE GUIDE WAS BROKEN AND MOVED WITH THE STEM AS IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE CYLINDER. THE #4 EXHAUST VALVE WAS ALSO TIGHT IN THE GUIDE. COMPRESSION WAS CHECKED AND THE #2 CYLINDER COMPRESSION WAS ZERO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5164K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5164K-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N NAV-4-2064, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION A
- Registry model: [Ryan NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion-a) (registry code 6150162) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-2064
- Airframe hours: 3457
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E225 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Blaine K. Fennell
- Registered owner: Blaine K Fennell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1988

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FKN

## 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 19881114050599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881114050599A), Nov 14, 1988: Tmpson NAVIONA, Franklin, PA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Sputtered and backfired on takeoff run,continued and stalled into trees end of runway. Exhaust valves jammed,broken

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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