Saturday, February 08, 2020

Loss of Engine Power (Partial): Grega GN-1 Aircamper, N23RT; accident occurred March 21, 2017 in Oronogo, Jasper County, Missouri

Airplane Wreckage at Accident Site. 

Throttle Cable Mounting Block Separated. 

Throttle Cable Mounting Block Re-Positioned in Original Location. 


The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Kansas City, Missouri 
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama 

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


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

http://registry.faa.gov/N23RT


Location: Oronogo, MO
Accident Number: CEN17LA171
Date & Time: 03/21/2017, 1700 CDT
Registration: N23RT
Aircraft: John Goodman Air Camper
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries:1 Serious 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 21, 2017, about 1700 central daylight time, an Air Camper airplane, N23RT, registered to the pilot/owner, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground following a partial loss of engine power near Oronogo, Missouri. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot and was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code Federal of Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plane was not filed. The flight was originating from a private airstrip at the time of the accident.

The airplane was taking off to the north from a private grass runway located on the property of the aircraft owner. The pilot stated that after takeoff, he noticed that he was losing power from the engine and made a turn to the south in an attempt to make it back to the airport. The engine continued to lose power and as the pilot attempted to make a turn to line up for landing, the aircraft lost airspeed and stalled. The aircraft contacted low trees about 330 ft from the end of the runway, then continued in a northwest direction before colliding with small trees. The right wing contacted the ground in a nose down attitude about 240 ft from the end of the runway.

During the examination of the wreckage, a wooden throttle cable support block that had been glued to the aircraft structure was found detached. The detachment area did not appear to be related to impact damage. No other anomalies were noted with the engine, airframe, or fuel distribution system.


Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 72, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 3772 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3 hours (Total, this make and model), 3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: John Goodman
Registration: N23RT
Model/Series: Air Camper
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2017
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 002
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/09/2017, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1159 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 3 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series:O-200 
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 100 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: JLN, 981 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1653 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 180°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 220°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.91 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 14°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Oronogo, MO
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Oronogo, MO
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1659 CDT
Type of Airspace:Class E 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire:None 
Ground Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 37.188333, -94.470278 (est)

1 comment:

  1. Always ask yourself what will happen when a glue bond fails. Add mechanical fastening to prevent that outcome. A single machine screw with washers and locknut that shear-tied the sleeve clamp and wood block to the sidewall ply would have been enough.

    The proper way would be to make the black metal plate for the lever extend forward to include a leg for fastening the throttle sleeve so that the forces were all reacted on that plate.

    ReplyDelete