# NTSB NYC92DHA03: Parrish, Paul SKY Bolt, N261P, Mehoopany, PA, June 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1992, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Mehoopany, PA
- Coordinates: 41.559345, -76.060668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5593&lon=-76.0607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37034
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92DHA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37034/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92DHA03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED AND SPUN THE AIRPLANE AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE TO ALLOW RECOVERY.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS AN ENGINE VIBRATION CAUSED BY A BROKEN NUMBER 3 EXHAUST VALVE.  THE EXHAUST VALVE CAUSED EXTENSIVE INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.

## 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, approach
  - powerplant - vibration (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

AT CRUISE ALTITUDE THE ENGINE STARTED TO VIBRATE.  DURING THE FORCE LANDING THE PILOT FELT THAT THE SPEED OF THE AIRPLANE WAS TOO FAST SO ELECTED TO GO AROUND AND ATTEMPT ANOTHER APPROACH.  THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRPLANE AWAY FROM THE INTENDED LANDING SITE, AND WHILE IN THE TURN THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SPUN INTO THE GROUND.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 3 EXHAUST VALVE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND EXTENSIVE INTERNAL DAMAGE WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N261P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N261P-2008-09-02), registration cancelled 2008-09-02, S/N 0061PA (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PARRISH, PAUL SKY BOLT
- Registry model: [Parrish Paul SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/parrish-paul-skybolt) (registry code 05655EN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0061PA
- Airframe hours: 1674
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Linda Schneider
- Registered owner: Linda Schneider
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1992, 59 hours before
- Departed: 76N, TUNKHANNOCK, PA
- Destination: 76N

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 159 total, 59 in this make and model, 156 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19920602017949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920602017949A), Jun 2, 1992: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Tunkhannock, PA, Destroyed. Engine vibration. Overshot nearby strip. Lost power on go around. Stalled. Piston broken by ingesting corroded valve

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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