Curtiss JN-4D N5001

Summary

On 26 December 1992 at about 19:41 local time, a Curtiss JN-4D registered N5001, operated by James M. Nissen, was involved in an accident near Livermore, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 December 1992 at 19:41

Classification

Accident

Location

Livermore, California, United States

Nearest airport

Meadowlark Field (23Q)

Coordinates

37.6794, -121.7491

Aircraft

Curtiss JN-4D

Registration

N5001

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

James M. Nissen

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX93LA076

2 people had minor injuries.

THE SHEARING OF THE NUMBER 8 CYLINDER ROCKER ARM SUPPORT PEDESTAL/COOLANT HOUSING RETAINING BOLTS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

FOLLOWING TAKE OFF FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AT ABOUT 50 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO LOOSE ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED. THE PILOT BEGAN A LEFT TURN TO AN OPEN FIELD. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED IN THE LEFT TURN TOWARD THE PILOTS RESIDENCE. TO AVOID HITTING THE HOUSE, THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY SKIDDED THE AIRPLANE TO THE LEFT, STRIKING THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE RESIDENCE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED TWO BOLTS THAT RETAIN THE ROCKER ARM SUPPORT PEDESTAL AND ENGINE COOLANT HOUSING HAD SHEARED. ENGINE COOLANT SPRAYED ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE SPARK PLUG LEADS AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRPLANE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.