EMERGENCY(?) LANDING

On Sunday October 26, 1997, I was flying to Voyager Village in Wisconsin for a C170 meet. As I passed Burnett Co. airport the plane shuddered and starting loosing power. I had just finished my BFR last week and we spent 30 minutes on emergency procedures and am I glad. I started through the emergency procedures, set up a glide, carb. heat, check mixture rich, etc. As I still had some power, 2000 rpm but running rough and also erratic no restart was attempted. I decided to put down at Burnett Co. only a few miles away. I flew over the north end of the unused runway and set up a downwind for runway 4. (Wind had been at 040 all the way.) I stayed close in case I lost all power so I could glide to the runway. The base leg became a 180 turn. On final I was high even with flaps. I tried to slip the airplane but every time I put in right aileron I also used right rudder. After the second attempt failed (must have been somewhat rattled) I decided that I had a long runway and would use what ever I needed. Landed with full flaps, not pretty but effective, plane on ground - no damage. As I reduced power and pulled off to the taxiway the engine sounded like it would quit. More power kept it running. Same when I pulled to a stop by the office.

After some discussion with the airport manager he offered his truck for me to drive to Voyager Village. I wanted some opinions on what to do and if I should attempt to start it. Discussions including my mechanic at ANE concluded it was a gas problem, or ice crystals etc. Ran the engine but it was erratic, would drop from 1500 to 1300 and later come back some. Next put Isopropyl in both tanks and waited for 40 minutes. Restarted and had the same results. At 4:00 accepted an offer from Chuck Rolston, a 172 driver there for lunch, for a ride back to ANE. I was going to stay overnight but decided to try to bum a ride back the next day. On recommendation of the airport manager, I left a message for Rich Nierling, a mechanic from Boyceville, WI to come up and look at the plane.

Monday I talked to my mechanic and Buldoc aviation and everyone felt it was now a stuck valve. I was able to bum a ride with guys from the Polar Aviation museum that were going to Warbirds north. As they dropped me off the airport manager came up and said that Rich Nierling came up, did compression checks and found a cracked cylinder #2. I looked at it and it was about 1/2 inch wide. Huge I thought. Nothing to do but ride back the same day. No Marvel mystery oil would fix this problem.

Tuesday I found a new Superior steel cylinder at Buldoc and talked them into going up to Burnett Co. with me to fix it on the field. Kevin from Buldoc did an excellent job and even took a test ride with me. Sounded better than before the crack. Flew the plane back (airport hopping at first) and Kevin drove my car back. Hope I can get some warranty consideration as all cylinders were checked by Buldoc in 96 and this one was replaced by Buldoc in 95.

Summary

What I did right. Followed the emergency procedures and got the plane on the ground. Had the presence of mind to give up the slip and use the long runway. Did not try to fly it until it was fixed.

What I could have done better. Did not check mags. Perhaps it may have run better on one. Did not monitor fuel pressure or oil pressure on the way down. This may have given me more info for later.

I give myself an A-

Thanks to Scott Volberding, Airport manager for all his help. Nice airport to visit for lunch. Thanks to Darrel Buldoc and Kevin for all the help. Cost was $334 for labor including travel and $152 on parts with warrenty plus tax.