HOUSTON, TX, USA
N12371
GRUMMAN FM-2
THE PLT HAD PURCHASED THE WWII FIGHTER ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT & IT HAD BEEN FLOWN SEVERAL HOURS DURING THE LAST FEW DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT INTENDED TO SHOOT TOUCH-&-GO'S ON THIS FLT. AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO REMAIN IN THE PATTERN & THE ACFT OVERSHOT THE TURN TO FINAL. IT THEN MADE A 180 DEG LEFT TURN & ALIGNED WITHA SMALL CLEARING. IT THEN STALLED. SEVERAL PERSONS DESCRIBED THE ENG AS SPUTTERING, POPPING & OBSERVD SMOKE. THE PROPELLER WAS TURNING SLOWLY. ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE CONRODS FOR CLYS 3,4 & 5 HAD DISCONNECTED FROM THEIR MASTERROD ATTACH POINTS. THE ATTACHING PINS WERE HEAT DISCOLORED & DEEPLY SCORED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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