Summary
On March 23, 1996, a Scheperle MUSTANG II MOD (N8180T) was involved in an accident near Merced, CA. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: A loss of engine power due to a malfunctioning thermostat valve in the liquid cooling system.
On March 23, 1996, at 1230 hours Pacific standard time, a homebuilt Scheperle Mustang II Mod, N8180T, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing attempt near Merced, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a personal cross-country flight from Fresno to Napa, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision sequence. The pilot and passenger onboard sustained minor injuries.
According to the pilot's statement, the converted Ford V6 automotive engine overheated and seized when a malfunctioning thermostat valve allowed excess pressure to build up inside the coolant system.
This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX96LA141. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8180T.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
a loss of engine power due to a malfunctioning thermostat valve in the liquid cooling system.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On March 23, 1996, at 1230 hours Pacific standard time, a homebuilt Scheperle Mustang II Mod, N8180T, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing attempt near Merced, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a personal cross-country flight from Fresno to Napa, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision sequence. The pilot and passenger onboard sustained minor injuries.
According to the pilot's statement, the converted Ford V6 automotive engine overheated and seized when a malfunctioning thermostat valve allowed excess pressure to build up inside the coolant system. The resulting over pressure blew out a plug in a coolant outlet from the block, which is unused in this installation. The coolant was then pumped overboard and the engine seized. The aircraft collided with fence posts during the forced landing attempt on a road.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX96LA141