Summary
On July 27, 1993, a Champion 402 (N9981Y) was involved in an incident near Valparaiso, IN. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST STACK ASSEMBLY.
On July 27, 1993, about 1131 central daylight time, a Champion 402; N9981Y, operated by Stephen E. Unger, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a field 1.5 miles west of Valparaiso, Indiana. The airline transport pilot and one passenger were uninjured. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions with no flight plan on file. The flight originated form Valparaiso, Indiana.
Immediately following takeoff from runway 27 at Valparaiso, the right engine lost power. The pilot determined a return to the airport was not possible, and made a forced landing in a large field to the northwest of the airport.
The aircraft's right wing was damaged.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CHI93LA289. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9981Y.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST STACK ASSEMBLY.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 27, 1993, about 1131 central daylight time, a Champion 402; N9981Y, operated by Stephen E. Unger, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a field 1.5 miles west of Valparaiso, Indiana. The airline transport pilot and one passenger were uninjured. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions with no flight plan on file. The flight originated form Valparaiso, Indiana.
Immediately following takeoff from runway 27 at Valparaiso, the right engine lost power. The pilot determined a return to the airport was not possible, and made a forced landing in a large field to the northwest of the airport.
The aircraft's right wing was damaged. Further investigation found the exhaust stack assembly, Champion part number 4-1218, cracked and separated at the weld. The P-Leads were melted by the hot gases, shorting out the magnetos.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI93LA289