Pilot Debrief

SMITH EDWARD I LANCAIR IV-P near Hilton Head Island, SC — 2010-03-15

Final reportERA10LA175
Sign in to save
Date
2010-03-15
Location
Hilton Head Island, SC, USA
Aircraft
SMITH EDWARD I LANCAIR IV-P
Registration
N9JE
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to the failure of the crankshaft as a result of a previous propeller strike.

NTSB narrative

**This report was modified on 8/8/13. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.** The pilot stated that while in cruise flight he observed the instrument panel begin to vibrate heavily and oil begin to cover the wind screen before hearing a loud "bang." The engine then lost power as oil continued to obscure the wind screen. The pilot had no forward visibility and could not maintain the airplane's altitude. He elected to make an emergency landing on a nearby beach and during the landing the airplane struck and killed a pedestrian. Examination of the airplane revealed that the propeller assembly separated from the crankshaft and was missing. The propeller assembly and propeller flange were not recovered. An examination by the NTSB Materials Laboratory of the crankshaft revealed that the aft face of the fracture contained crack arrest marks. The fracture of the crankshaft was caused by multiple-origin fatigue cracks that emanated at the aft relief radius for the propeller flange. The records for this engine and airplane do not show an entry of a propeller strike. However, multiple-origin fatigue cracks that extend nearly 50% around the circumference of the aft relief radius for the propeller flange suggest that the propeller had struck an object prior to fracture of the crankshaft. In the absence of material anomalies, the fatigue cracking appears likely to have been caused by external impact stress, such as a propeller strike.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have conducted a precautionary landing before engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • Photos
  • 21 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents21

Related mishaps