Pilot Debrief

BLACK DONALD COZY III near Los Lunas, NM — 2018-02-17

Final reportCEN18LA117
Sign in to save
Date
2018-02-17
Location
Los Lunas, NM, USA
Airport
E98
Aircraft
BLACK DONALD COZY III
Registration
N904DB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The seizure of the propeller gearbox for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in a forced landing.

NTSB narrative

After an uneventful 1-hour personal flight in the experimental amateur-built airplane, the pilot was setting up for an approach to the airport when the propeller seized. The pilot attempted to land at the airport but slightly overshot the runway. The landing gear sheared upon touchdown, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and center fuselage section. Examination of the airplane revealed that the propeller gearbox was seized. Examination of the gearbox did not reveal any obvious reason for the seizure. The airplane and engine had been operated about 13.4 total hours since its initial airworthiness certificate was issued about 6 years before the accident. The reason for the gearbox seizure could not be determined based on the available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have conducted a go-around instead of attempting to land after the failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

Related mishaps