Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN TBM-3 near Fort Apache, AZ — 2018-05-06

Final reportANC18LA034
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Date
2018-05-06
Location
Fort Apache, AZ, USA
Aircraft
GRUMMAN TBM-3
Registration
N337VT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger were conducting a cross-country flight in the pilot's newly-purchased and refurbished World War II-era airplane when the engine experienced vibrations, smoke, an oil leak, and a partial loss of power. The airplane was over remote, rugged, tree-covered terrain with no emergency landing areas, and the occupants, who were wearing emergency parachutes, egressed about 1,500 ft above ground level. Both the pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries during their landings under parachute. Radar data indicated that the airplane continued a steady descent into terrain. The wreckage was never located despite numerous searches; therefore, the engine could not be examined and the reason for the loss of engine power or smoke and vibrations could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land at Ak-Chin after refueling instead of continuing flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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