On September 1, 1985, a Stinson 108-2 (registration N9782K) operated by Patrick D. Woodruff was involved in an aviation accident near Carpinteria, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a cross-country pleasure flight, a loud bang preceded total power loss, forcing an emergency landing on a polo field. The aircraft stalled during flare, resulting in substantial damage.
Accident Details
A cross-country pleasure flight experienced a sudden loss of all engine power after the pilot heard a loud bang. The pilot executed an emergency landing on a polo field. During the landing flare, the pilot stalled the aircraft, leading to a hard touchdown that substantially damaged the aircraft.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the aircraft's Franklin engine revealed a hole in the engine's accessory case. The engine's crankshaft gear was missing. The failure of this gear contributed to causing other internal damage. It is unknown whether the crankshaft gear was the primary component to fail. The engine had accumulated 2,620 total hours and 520 hours since major overhaul.