Pilot Debrief

MCCULLOCH JERRY RV-4 near Pageland, SC — 2010-06-17

Final reportERA10LA316
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Date
2010-06-17
Location
Pageland, SC, USA
Aircraft
MCCULLOCH JERRY RV-4
Registration
N418GM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

Maintenance personnel’s improper installation and inspection of the crankshaft idler gear, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that during cruise flight the engine made a popping sound and subsequently experienced a loss of power. He performed an emergency landing on a road and during the landing roll the airplane struck a ditch. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft idler gear was missing a lock plate, which likely resulted in the idler gear vibrating loose from the engine case, leading to the loss of engine power. The lock plate was not found and no other anomalies were noted during the examination. An annual conditional inspection on the engine was conducted 10 days prior to the accident; the engine was overhauled about 320 flight hours prior to the accident. Based on the evidence and records, it is likely that the lock plate was not installed during the last overhaul.

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

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

Docket documents10

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