Mcclish FUNK B85C accident near Gardner, Kansas, June 24, 2000
On June 24, 2000 at about 10:10 pm local time, a Mcclish FUNK B85C, registered N24120, was substantially damaged in an accident near Gardner, Kansas (Gardner airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
an improper modification to the engine which allowed a bearing to be misaligned, thus restricted the flow of oil through the engine. A factor associated with the accident was the wet field in which the forced landing was made.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 24, 2000 · about 10:10 pm local time
- Place
- Gardner, Kansas · Gardner · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcclish FUNK B85C · all FUNK B85Cs on the register
- Registration
- N24120 · registry record · serial 46
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident occurred during the aircraft's maiden flight. The pilot reported that after takeoff while on downwind leg, the engine 'stopped immediately.' A forced landing was made in a water saturated bean field during which the airplane nosed over. Inspection of the engine revealed the thrust bearings were improperly installed on an improperly located locator pin in the engine case. The dislocated pin resulted in the bearing half being askew which resulted in a subsequent loss of lubrication.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,992 hours in all; 6 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 3,662 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 6, 2000; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: K34 at 10:10 pm
- Destination: K34
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 pm from MKC, 26 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CHI00LA173.