Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI95LA266

BLOOMINGTON, NE, USA

Aircraft #1

N6771Q

GRUMMAN G164B

Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HIS ENGINE POPPED TWO TIMES AFTER TAKEOFF. BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND POPPING SOUND THE ENGINE LOST POWER, REGAINED POWER AND THEN QUIT AFTER THE SECOND POPPING SOUND. THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN MATURE CORN, INVERTING BEFORE COMING TO A STOP ON THE GROUND. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE SUPER CHARGER'S BEARING SYSTEM.

Factual Information

On August 9, 1995, at 1530 central daylight time (cdt), a Grumman G164B, N6771Q, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with mature corn and the ground following a total loss of power shortly after takeoff. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed a restricted landing area near Bloomington, Nebraska, at 1530 cdt. The pilot said the airplane had climbed to about 500 feet above the ground after takeoff when its engine made a popping sound. The engine, according to the pilot, lost power after the first popping sound. He said it regained power, ran for a few seconds, and made a second popping sound. He said the engine stopped running shortly after the second popping sound. He said the airplane became inverted after colliding with nine foot high corn. An FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) represented the NTSB on-scene. The PMI said the engine examination revealed its super charger bearings had been destroyed during flight.

Probable Cause and Findings

the disintegration of the engine's super charger bearings. Factors associated with the accident were the total failure of the engine's super charger and the unsuitable terrain surrounding the airplane's departure path encountered by the pilot.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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