Pilot Debrief

SOCATA TB200 near Annapolis, MD — 2017-11-10

Final reportERA18LA021
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Date
2017-11-10
Location
Annapolis, MD, USA
Airport
ANP
Aircraft
SOCATA TB200
Registration
N207GT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons after the disconnection of the propeller governor control due to inadequate securenment during maintenance.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that, about 45 minutes after departure, he felt a subtle vibration in the engine. A few minutes later, the propeller rpm increased uncommanded to 2,700 rpm and remained "pegged at the redline." The pilot was unable to control the rpm and the vibration increased, followed by smoke in the cabin and a loss of engine power; the pilot subsequently performed a forced landing, impacted a pole and guardrail, and the left wing and horizontal stabilator separated. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the propeller governor control arm had disconnected from the propeller governor. It is likely that during maintenance conducted 5 months before the accident, the linkage was not properly secured, and the bolt eventually backed out of the propeller control arm, which resulted in the separation; however this would not have directly resulted in the loss of engine power. The examination of the airframe and engine was otherwise unable to identify a definitive cause for the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have landed at FME instead of continuing after engine issues began.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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