Saturday, September 03, 2011

Van's RV-6A, N241BD: Accident occurred September 03, 2011 at North Perry Airport (KHWO), Hollywood, Broward County, Florida

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Miramar, Florida 

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N241BD



Location: Hollywood, FL
Accident Number: ERA11LA483
Date & Time: 09/03/2011, 0847 EDT
Registration: N241BD
Aircraft: DURLING JAMES RV-6A
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event:
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

During the airplane’s initial climb after takeoff, when it was an estimated 30 to 50 feet off the ground, the propeller rpm suddenly decreased. The pilot aborted the takeoff, and was able to land the airplane about 500 feet before the end of the 3,350-foot runway. However, the airplane then overran the runway end and impacted a perimeter fence. Initial examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies, but a subsequent propeller governor disassembly at a propeller shop revealed difficulty in moving an internal part, as well as internal scoring internal scoring. Further examination of the cleaned parts confirmed the internal scoring as well as internal chipping, the latter which was likely produced by trapped particles. Chipping was found on the land (surface) of the pilot valve, and rounding on the edge of the port it normally interacted with, which would produce erratic operation of the governor, and therefore affect propeller speed. Because the parts had previously been cleaned, there were no particulates available for composition analysis. However, because there was also no evidence of missing material from the governor itself, it was likely that the damage to the governor was the result of particulate ingestion via oil flow from the engine.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
Particulate ingestion from the engine, which resulted in the malfunction of the propeller governor during the airplane’s initial climb.

Findings

Aircraft
Engine (reciprocating) - Fatigue/wear/corrosion (Cause)
Propeller controlling system - Malfunction (Cause)

Factual Information

On September 3, 2011, at 0847 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-6A, N241BD, was substantially damaged during a takeoff attempt at North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida. The airline transport pilot and the non-pilot owner sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight to Palatka Municipal Airport (28J), Palatka, Florida. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, preflight and before takeoff checks were all “satisfactory,” and he was subsequently cleared to take off from the 3,350-foot runway 36L. Initial lift off was "normal" at 60 knots. A few seconds later, when the airplane was about 30 to 50 feet above the ground at 70 to 75 knots, the airplane abruptly lost about 25 to 50 percent of its thrust. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff and closed the throttle. The airplane touched down about 500 feet from the end of the runway, then continued through the overrun and impacted the airport perimeter fence.

The pilot subsequently made a video playback of the airplane’s electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) display during the takeoff attempt. During the video, and after what appeared to be an addition of power, the propeller speed settled about 2,540 rpm while the manifold pressure settled at 29.3 inches.

When the airspeed increased to 74 knots, the rpm suddenly dropped significantly, followed shortly thereafter by a reduction in manifold pressure.

The airplane’s airspeed continued to climb to 83 knots before beginning to diminish. The EFIS attitude display subsequently began to shake, consistent with the airplane traveling over rough ground, until it stopped completely when the airspeed reduced to 41 knots.

A Federal Aviation Administration examination of the airplane following the accident did find any engine anomalies. The examination of the engine oil filter did not result in finding metal shavings or other contaminants.

The propeller governor was later disassembled and examined at a propeller shop with the following observed by shop personnel: “The pilot valve had to be forced out of the drive gear due to scoring on [the] pilot valve that seems to have been caused by metal ingestion.” In addition, scoring was found on the governor’s internal gear housing walls, as well as on “drive gear friction surfaces.” The governor was not reassembled.     

The propeller governor components were subsequently examined at the NTSB Materials Laboratory. According to the Laboratory's Factual Report (located with photographs in the Public Docket for this accident), the components arrived already cleaned.

The report also noted that the governor was driven by the engine and contained an integral gear pump that pressurized engine oil and directed the oil to and from a variable pitch propeller via ports in a gear shaft. An examination of the components revealed scoring in the pump chamber and on the sides of the driven gear, and chipping on the pilot valve. 

Examinations of the drive gear shaft revealed circumferential scoring on the shaft portion, and indentations on the crest of the gear teeth and at the intersection of the crest with the gear flank. Bands of circumferential scratches were also located adjacent to the governor and propeller ports on the shaft portion of the gear shaft. A similar band of scratches was observed on the shaft between the gear and the sump port. Further examination of the pilot valve hole in the drive gear shaft revealed that the edge of the governor port nearest to the gear was slightly rounded and that a circumferential band of scratches was located adjacent to that edge.

The pilot valve had two control lands (surfaces) identified for the examination as “A” and “B”.  Normally, with the propeller at an on-speed condition, land “A” would have covered the governor port in the gear shaft and land “B” would have covered the sump port so no oil flowed to or from the propeller. At an overspeed condition, land “A” would have uncovered the governor port and land while “B” still covered the sump port, allowing pressurized engine oil to enter through the governor port and out of the propeller port to the propeller. The propeller pitch would have been increased and the propeller speed would have reduced. At an underspeed condition, land “A” would have covered the governor port and land “B” would have uncovered the sump port, allowing oil from the propeller to flow through the sump port to the engine sump. The propeller pitch would have reduced and the propeller speed would have increased.

Examination of the pilot valve revealed chipping at the edge of land “A” and a circumferentially-oriented scratch that originated at the chipped edge. There were also bands of circumferential scratches located adjacent to the governor and propeller ports on the shaft portion of the gear shaft. A similar band of scratches was observed on the shaft between the gear and the sump port.

The pilot valve hole in the drive gear shaft was examined to reveal that the edge of the governor port nearest to the gear was slightly rounded and a circumferential band of scratches was located adjacent to that edge.

Examination of the cap, the flyweight, and the bearing revealed no anomalies and no indications of missing material.

History of Flight

Initial climb
Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail

Emergency descent
Off-field or emergency landing

Landing-landing roll
Runway excursion 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 60, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Seatbelt, Shoulder harness
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed:No 
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/19/2011
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/10/2011
Flight Time:   4156 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1398 hours (Total, this make and model), 4114 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 60 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: DURLING JAMES
Registration: N241BD
Model/Series: RV-6A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 60477
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/05/2010, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 126 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1555 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O&VO-360 SER
Registered Owner: BUZZI BARBARA M
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held:None  

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: HWO, 7 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 0853 EDT
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 90°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 24°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hollywood, FL (HWO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Palatka, FL (28J)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 0847 EDT
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: North Perry (HWO)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 7 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 36L
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3350 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 26.006944, -80.243889 (est)



Winter Haven Florida Fly-In from Ft Lauderdale FL in RV7, RV9a, and RV6a Formation Landing. Shot with Canon HF100 at full HD, except the last half of the video showing the formation landing was shot by JVC GZ-MG255U at max def 720x480 pixels 29.97 interlaced. The airborn still shot of N241BD was by Jim, the landing and parking still was by Roger.

PEMBROKE PINES - A pilot and passenger walked away from an aborted takeoff on Saturday that sent an experimental plane through a fence at North Perry Airport, according to Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue.

A man in his 60s was at the controls when the single-engine airplane left the ground heading north but there was not enough lift so he tried to land it and ran out of runway, witnesses said.

The pilot was not hurt but a woman passenger was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, fire rescue officials said.

The aircraft sustained minor damage but the chain link fence along Pines Blvd. was ripped off its posts.

Traffic flow was impacted as passing motorists slowed to watch the commotion.

North Perry Airport is a private airfield stretching 536 acres from University Drive to Northwest 72nd Avenue that houses about 300 aircraft, aviation training schools, helipads and control towers.

It has been the scene of many aircraft accidents over the years prompting some nervous neighbors to call for its closure even though it pre-dates the homes that have sprung up around it.

The U.S. Navy used the small airport - then called North Perry Field - in 1943 which was 17 years before Pembroke Pines was founded.

A small private plane crashed Saturday before ever taking off from Pembroke Pines’ North Perry Airport, apparently injuring a passenger on board.

The mishap occurred at 8:47 a.m. when the two-seater RV6A plane failed to take off, said Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Arlene Salac.

“It went into the grass and a fence,” said Salac. “It never became airborne.”

The plane’s passenger went to a local hospital complaining of minor injuries.

Salac did not identify those on board the plane. FAA records indicate that the “amateur built” 2001 vintage aircraft was registered to Barbara Buzzi of Hollywood, but the South Florida Sun Sentinel quoted eyewitnesses as saying a man was in the pilot’s seat.

As in all crashes, Salac said the FAA was investigating to “see what the problem was -- with the plane, or the pilot. They look at all the different categories.”

North Perry Airport is a private airfield stretching 536 acres from University Drive to Northwest 72nd Avenue and houses about 300 aircraft, aviation training schools, helipads and control towers.

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