Pilot Debrief

HERONIMUS KEVIN A GLASAIR III near Falls of Rough, KY — 2011-09-30

Final reportERA11FA512
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Date
2011-09-30
Location
Falls of Rough, KY, USA
Airport
2I3
Aircraft
HERONIMUS KEVIN A GLASAIR III
Registration
N43KH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The failure of the propeller power speed reduction unit, which resulted in a loss of engine power at low altitude.

NTSB narrative

According to witnesses, the airplane departed the airport and circled back to make a fly-by over the runway. As the airplane flew over the runway, a witness reported that the engine sounded like it “over revved.” Witnesses also stated that they saw what appeared to be a puff of smoke emitting from the nose of the airplane. The pilot made a left banking turn, and then entered a left downwind for the runway. The engine power seemed to surge as the airplane descended. Then the engine went silent and the airplane turned toward the airport but did not have enough altitude to reach the runway. The pilot appeared to level the wings, and the landing gear was lowered as the airplane descended into the trees, struck a building, and exploded. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it was equipped an automotive Chevrolet LS1 engine. The airplane’s propeller was attached to a propeller speed reduction unit (PSRU). The system was designed with an automatic clutch and was tuned to remain disengaged at idle and engage with an increase in power. An examination of the PSRU revealed that the propeller drive shaft fractured as a result of fatigue. This fracture separated the propeller drive gears from the clutch, which resulted in the loss of power to the propeller. Given the witness accounts of the loss of engine power, it is likely that the airplane lost airspeed and altitude due to this condition.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after engine issues were observed.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 18 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents18

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