Socata MS894A accident near Fulton, New York, August 16, 2008
On August 16, 2008 at about 7:40 pm local time, a Socata MS894A, registered N31BF, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern crosswind) near Fulton, New York (Oswego County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the crankshaft and the No. 3 engine cylinder connecting rod as a result of improper machining of the engine crankshaft during engine overhaul by maintenance personnel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 16, 2008 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Fulton, New York · Oswego County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Socata MS894A
- Registration
- N31BF · registry record · serial 11682
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he was level at 400 feet above ground level when he heard a "bang," the airplane began to vibrate, and the engine stopped. He lowered the nose for the airplane's best glide speed and initiated a forced landing to a nearby open field. While on final approach to the field the airplane collided with trees and then the ground. The crankshaft and connecting rod were forwarded to the Safety Board's Metallurgical Laboratory for further analysis. Examination of the crankshaft's ten bearing journals revealed surface finishes that were consistent with a turning operation but not with a grinding operation as specified in the overhaul manual. Examination of the engine assembly revealed that the crankshaft and the No. 3 engine cylinder connecting rod had failed. The examination revealed that the crankshaft failed in fatigue and initiated in machining marks in the rear radius of the No. 3 and 4 connecting rod bearing journals. An engine logbook entry indicated that the main and rod bearing journals had been "turned" and their diameter reduced by 0.010-inch in accordance with the Franklin overhaul manual. Journal diameters were measured and were consistent with 0.010-inch begin removed; however, the table in the overhaul manual specified a tolerance of 0.0010-inch and the dimensions indicated a tolerance of 0.0020-inch, which was contrary to the overhaul manual. The overhaul manual also recommends that the crankshafts be returned to the factory for grinding and re-nitriding. No logbook entries were located to verify that re-nitriding had been carried out.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern crosswind) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Failure
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Repair › Maintenance personnel
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,316 hours in all; 27 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 4,146 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,599 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2008; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,425 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A-350-C1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FZY Fulton NY at 7:00 pm
- Destination: FZY Fulton NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 5,197 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from FZY, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.