WELSH, LA, USA
N8331K
SCHWEIZER G-164D
IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE PILOT HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND FLAMES BRIEFLY ENGULFED THE COCKPIT. AS THE FLAMES CLEARED THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK ONTO THE STRIP. THE PILOT APPLIED MAXIMUM BRAKING; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE DEVELOPED A LEFT DRIFT THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A THREE FOOT DEEP DITCH. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT SEVERAL TURBINE BLADES HAD BEEN RELEASED FROM BOTH THE GAS PRODUCER AND POWER TURBINE WHEELS. THE MANUFACTURER REPORTED THAT THE BLADES WERE RELEASED AS A RESULT OF INTERFERENCE, BUT DID NOT REPORT THE REASON FOR THE INTERFERENCE.
THE ENGINE FAILURE AT LIFTOFF DUE TO THE FAILURE OF MULTIPLE TURBINE BLADES AND THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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