Thursday, December 08, 2011

Curtiss Wright P40M, N5813: Accident occurred December 08, 2011 in Batavia, Ohio

NTSB Identification: CEN12LA111
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, December 08, 2011 in Batavia, OH
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/28/2012
Aircraft: CURTISS WRIGHT P40M, registration: N5813
Injuries: 1 Minor.

 
The pilot stated that the engine shuddered several times and that the engine oil pressure dropped to zero, followed by a complete loss of engine power. About that time, the windshield and canopy were covered with oil and coolant, which restricted forward visibility. The pilot performed a forced landing at the departure airport. However, due to excessive airspeed on approach, he was unable to stop the airplane before it departed the end of the runway and impacted the airport perimeter fence. A postaccident examination revealed that the engine oil cooler had cracked, which resulted in an engine failure due to a loss of engine oil. The oil cooler was an original World War II era component. The crack did not appear to have initiated at a previously repaired area.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
A loss of engine power due to failure of the engine oil cooler and subsequent oil starvation to the engine. 

On December 8, 2011, about 1530 eastern standard time, a Curtiss Wright P40M airplane, N5813, impacted a fence during a forced landing and a runway excursion, following a loss of engine power, at Clermont County Airport (I69). The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the horizontal stabilizer. The airplane was registered to and operated by the Tri-State Warbird Museum under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from I69 about 1440.

The World War II era airplane was recently restored and had accumulated approximately 5 hours since it had been returned to an airworthy condition. The airplane was originally manufactured in May 1943.

The pilot reported that he had completed maneuvers in the local area prior to the accident. He stated that while returning to the airport, the engine shuddered several times and the oil pressure dropped to zero. Approximately 20 seconds later, the engine failed completely. About that time, the windshield and canopy were covered with oil and coolant restricting forward visibility. The pilot was able to execute a forced landing to the airport; however, he was unable to stop on the available runway. The airplane subsequently departed the end of the runway and impacted the airport perimeter fence.

A postaccident inspection revealed that the engine oil cooler exhibited a crack adjacent to a thermostatic bypass valve. The oil cooler was an original World War II era component. The crack did not appear to have initiated at a previously repaired area.


IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 5813        Make/Model: EXP       Description: CURTISS WRIGHT P40M
  Date: 12/08/2011     Time: 2027

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Substantial

LOCATION
  City: BATAVIA   State: OH   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THROUGH A FENCE, AND ONTO A ROAD,  
  BATAVIA, OH

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    


OTHER DATA
  Activity: Training      Phase: Unknown      Operation: OTHER


  FAA FSDO: CINCINNATI, OH  (GL05)                Entry date: 12/09/2011 




(Source: Donna, League For Animal Welfare)

Plane crashes at Clermont County airport on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011.
(Photo by Ron Fischer)

Plane crashes at Clermont County airport on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011.
(Photo by Ron Fischer)


Plane crashes at Clermont County airport on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011.


BATAVIA, Ohio - Paul Redlich survived a pilot's worst fear Thursday. He was piloting a 1943 Curtis P-40 when he heard a loud boom, the plane started to shake, and smoke started coming from the engine.

"I've had engine problems before, but this was by far the worst," said Redlich.

Redlich was at 6,500 feet when the engine blew. He used his altitude to coast the plane to the runway at the Clermont County Airport.

He was able to land the plane despite heavy smoke coming from the engine, making visibility very limited.

"I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to have any problems with anybody on the ground, I didn't want anybody to get hurt," said Redlich.

The plan slid off the runway, through a fence, and onto Taylor road.

After the landing Redlich's concern shifted to the aircraft.

"It's devastating, we've spent 35,000 man hours rebuilding this airplane from a salvage yard reclamation. We're going to build it again, but it's a sad setback for us," said Redlich.

Redlich is the President of the Tri-state Warbird Museum, which owns the historic plane.

Nobody was injured in the landing.


CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio -- Authorities are investigating a plane crash at the Clermont County Airport.

The Clermont County Sheriff's Office said a light airplane overshot the runway, went through a fence and came to rest on Taylor Road.

Troopers said the pilot reported engine trouble before attempting the landing. He told troopers that he was blinded by some fluids coming from his engine during landing.

The pilot was the only person on the plane. The Ohio State Highway Patrol said he was not hurt.

State troopers are investigating the crash.

Read more and photos: http://www.wlwt.com

BATAVIA, Ohio - A small plane overshot a runway before crashing into several fences in Clermont County Thursday afternoon.

The accident happened at the Clermont County Airport just before 3:30 p.m. Police say the smoke filled the cockpit of the refurbished P-40 plane after it developed mechanical problems.

The pilot was unable to see but still managed to land. The plane came to a rest in the roadway at Taylor Road and Sporty's Drive in Batavia.

The pilot was the only person on board and was not injured.

9 News has a crew on the scene and will update this story as more information develops.

Read more and photos: http://www.kypost.com

CLERMONT COUNTY, OH (FOX19) -

A small plane has crashed landed at the Clermont County Airport.

The small plane crashed through a fence as it was trying to land. It overshot the runway.

The pilot was the only person on board and was not injured.

Taylor Road, near the airport, has been closed.

FOX19 is on the way to the scene and will bring you the latest as it becomes available.

Read more and photos:  http://www.fox19.com