Park WIZARD N5297E

Summary

On 14 August 1995 at about 20:20 local time, a Park WIZARD registered N5297E, operated by S-Tec Corporation, was involved in an accident near Mineral Wells, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 August 1995 at 20:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Mineral Wells, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.8206, -98.0702

Aircraft

Park WIZARD

Registration

N5297E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

S-Tec Corporation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW95LA343

Nobody was injured.

A SEIZED ENGINE FOLLOWING THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT FROM A LOOSE LINE DUE TO AN INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSTALLATION BY THE BUILDER. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 2,000 FEET AGL, THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE TO A PLAYGROUND. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A BASEBALL BACKSTOP. EXAMINATION REVEALED A LOOSE ENGINE COOLANT LINE, THE LOSS OF ALL ANTIFREEZE, AND A SEIZED ENGINE CYLINDER. THE ENGINE COOLANT FITTING HAD A SMOOTH SURFACE WITH NO MECHANICAL MEANS (BEAD) TO RETAIN THE RUBBER COOLANT HOSE. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THE FITTING 'APPEARED AS A STANDARD PLUMBING FITTING.' ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE, ALL ENGINE AND RADIATOR CONNECTIONS DISTRIBUTED BY ROTAX CONTAIN A MECHANICAL MEANS TO RETAIN THE HOSE CONNECTIONS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.