# NTSB SEA93LA150: Hoopes Hummelbird, N2227S, Salt Lake City, UT, July 8, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1993, 20:15 local (Jul 8, 1993, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.649509, -112.009666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6495&lon=-112.0097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA150

## Probable cause

A FRACTURED 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 - fractured (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY SEVERE VIBRATION.  THE PILOT SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND INITIATED A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. THE PILOT LATER REPORTED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE IN THE WEB BETWEEN THE NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER TWO CONNECTING ROD JOURNALS.

## Factual narrative

On July 7, 1993 at 2015 hours mountain daylight time, a home built Hummelbird, N2227S, experienced a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Salt Lake City, Utah.  The pilot initiated a forced landing in an open field.  During the landing roll, the airplane collided with the terrain.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the certificated private pilot was not injured.

The pilot reported that at an altitude of 5,600 feet, he pulled the power back for cruise flight.  At this time, he heard a loud bang and the airplane began to vibrate.  The pilot shut the engine down and initiated a forced landing to an open field.

The pilot reported that a Mosler Motors MMCB, reciprocating, 35 horsepower engine is installed in the airplane.  Further examination revealed that the crankshaft broke in the web between the number one and number two connecting rod journals.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2227S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2227S-2013-09-24), registration cancelled 2013-09-24, S/N GW1244, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOOPES HUMMELBIRD
- Registry model: [Hoopes Todd C HUMMELBIRD](https://openairdocs.org/model/hoopes-todd-c-hummelbird) (registry code 05616G8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: GW1244
- Airframe hours: 148
- Engines: Mosler MMCB 35 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hoopes, Todd C.
- Registered owner: Hoopes, Todd C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 335 total, 138 in this make and model, 268 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19930707022779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930707022779A), Jul 7, 1993: Amtr HUMMINGBIRD, Salt Lake City, UT, Substantial damage. Loud engine bang and vibration at cruise. Shutdown. Landed in field. Crankshaft had broke at wet between journals.

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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