Pilot Debrief

Yakovlev YAK 52 near Wrightsville, GA — 2019-11-30

Final reportERA20LA045
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Date
2019-11-30
Location
Wrightsville, GA, USA
Aircraft
Yakovlev YAK 52
Registration
N52CY
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 5 cylinder exhaust valve, which resulted in an forced off-airport landing.

NTSB narrative

During the cruise portion of a repositioning cross-country flight, the engine experienced a catastrophic failure and a total loss of power. The flight instructor maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing in an open field, and about 500 ft above ground level, he lowered the landing gear, which significantly increased the airplane's rate of descent and reduced its airspeed. The airplane touched down in the field and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and wings. Internal examination of the engine revealed that the No. 5 cylinder's exhaust valve seat had dropped into the cylinder and likely fractured into several pieces, as metal fragments were observed in the cylinder. The failure of the exhaust valve led to the total loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Inspect engine cylinders during the 100-hour inspection.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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