ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 38133
Last updated: 21 May 2013
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Date:01-MAY-1994
Time:1220
Type:Silhouette image of generic M20P model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Mooney M20E
Operator:private
Registration: N1905Y
C/n / msn: 288
Fatalities:Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:0
Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:Broomfield, CO -   United States of America
Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:Private
Departure airport:(BJC)
Destination airport:(BJC)
Narrative:
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT REQUESTED CLEARANCE TO RETURN FOR AN IMMEDIATE LANDING. A WITNESS SAID THAT HE HEARD A METALLIC NOISE FROM THE PLANE AS IT PASSED OVERHEAD. HE SAID THE PILOT MADE A STEEP RIGHT BANK TO LAND ON RUNWAY 29L; HOWEVER, THE PLANE IMPACTED BETWEEN THE PARALLEL RUNWAYS. AN EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED 2 FINGER-TIGHT CYLINDER BASE NUTS & UNDERTORQUED BASE NUTS & CRANKCASE THROUGH-NUTS. A TEARDOWN REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE BETWEEN THE #3 & #4 CONNECTING ROD JOURNALS. A METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE CRANKSHAFT REVEALED HIGH LOCALIZED STRESS-INDUCED FATIGUE CRACKS. THE ENGINE HAD ACCUMULATED 266 HRS OF FLIGHT TIME SINCE MAJOR OVERHAUL ON 1/11/91. THE PLANE HAD BEEN MODIFIED WITH 2 STC'S, 1 FOR INSTALLATION OF A RAYJAY TURBOCHARGER, ANOTHER FOR INSTALLATION OF A 'BLACKMAC' PROPELLER. THE HOLDER OF THE PROPELLER STC REPORTED THE COMPANY WOULD NOT HAVE INSTALLED THE PROPELLER ON A TURBOCHARGED ENGINE, SINCE CERTIFICATION VIBRATORY TESTS WERE ONLY MADE ON NORMALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES. AFTER INSTALLATION ON 1/17/91, THE PROPELLER WAS REMOVED ON 3/19/91 FOR STATIC BALANCE & 'RE-INDEX PROP #1 BLADE 180 DEGREES;' ON 3/28/91, IT WAS REMOVED FOR A BLADE ANGLE CHECK; AND ON 5/23/91, IT RECEIVED A DYNAMIC BALANCE. CAUSE: FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT; AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING TO LAND, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNDESIRABLE ENGINE/PROPELLER VIBRATION, AND THE LOOSE CRANKCASE AND CYLINDER BASE NUTS.

Sources:
NTSB: http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001206X01266


Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
24-Oct-2008 10:30 ASN archive Added
Number of views: 619

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