# NTSB SEA92LA138: Navion H, N2550T, Gillette, WY, June 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1992, 07:48 local (13:48 UTC)
- Place: Gillette, WY
- Coordinates: 44.46075, -105.700172 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4607&lon=-105.7002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA138

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE INDUCTION AIR DUCTING, INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE, AND IMPROPER APPROVAL OF THE MODIFICATION.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - induction air ducting - collapsed (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate compliance determination, faa(principal maintenance inspector) (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THERE WAS AN ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR & EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE GEAR DID NOT FULLY EXTEND, AND RETRACTED AT TOUCHDOWN. POST CRASH EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE INDUCTION AIR 'SCAT' TUBE INNER WALL HAD COLLAPSED AT A 90 DEG BEND, RESTRICTING INTAKE AIR TO THE ENGINE. THE TUBING WAS INSTALLED AS PER A ONE TIME FIELD APPROVED STC. THE ALTERNATE AIR BYPASS WAS DOWNSTREAM OF THE 'SCAT' TUBING. THE TUBING WAS OF A DOUBLE WALL DESIGN WHICH CHARACTERISTICALLY CAN DELAMINATE WHEN EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2550T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2550T), registered now, S/N NAV-4-2550, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NAVION H
- Registry model: [Navion NAVION H](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-h) (registry code 6150122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-2550
- Airframe hours: 1649
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-13A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eckert, Edwin J.
- Registered owner: Eckert, Edwin J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1992, 26 hours before
- Destination: HLN, HELENA, MT
- Airport: GCC, Campbell County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,246 total, 3,808 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GCC, 1 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 19920627021929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920627021929A), Jun 27, 1992: Tmpson NAVIONH, Gillette, WY, Substantial damage. At engine change 8 years prior a double wall scat tube installed. Tube delaminated. Blocked air. Aux air downstream.

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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