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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 2, 1995 · Franklin EAA BI-PLANE/P1 EAA Bi-Pla · N3428

Rockville, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 2, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Rockville, IN
Aircraft
Franklin EAA BI-PLANE/P1 EAA Bi-Pla
Tail Number
N3428
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA145

THE PILOT REPORTED IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT THAT HE WAS CONDUCTING AN ENGINE RUNUP BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT DEVELOP FULL POWER. HE DECIDED TO TAXI DOWN THE RUNWAY WITH NO INTENTION OF TAKING OFF, BUT INADVERTENTLY BECAME AIRBORNE. SHORTLY AFTER THE UNINTENTIONAL TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER, TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND IMPACTED TERRAIN. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF HEAT DAMAGE AND ABNORMAL PISTON RING WEAR. THERE WERE SCRAPE MARKINGS ON THE PISTON, PISTON RINGS, AND CYLINDER WALL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE PERFORMED THE CYLINDER AND RING CHANGE AND WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE CYLINDER AND RING COMBINATION WERE NOT COMPATIBLE.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper maintenance installation and his inadvertent takeoff. A factor was the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning.

Full Narrative

On May 2, 1995, at 1827 eastern standard time, a Franklin EAA Bi- Plane/P1, registered to a private owner, of Rockville, Indiana, received substantial damage on impact with terrain following a takeoff to the west and experiencing a loss of engine power. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The pilot reported minor injuries. No flight plan was on file. The local flight was on departure from the Bulter Airport, Rockville, Indiana, at the time of the accident. The pilot reported in his written statement, that he was conducting an engine runup, because the engine would not develop full power. He decided to taxi down the runway with no intention of taking off, but inadvertently became airborne. The engine sustained a power loss shortly after liftoff. Witnesses stated that the takeoff appeared normal until at the end of the runway, the engine sounded like it was reduced to idle power. Postaccident examination of the engine was conducted. An FAA Inspector's report stated, "...evidence of heat damage and abnormal piston ring wear. There were scrape markings on the piston, piston rings, and cylinder wall...". The pilot said that he performed a cylinder and piston ring change and was not aware that the rings and cylinder were not compatible.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:27 EDT
Nearest AirportButler Field Airport (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width500 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFranklin EAA BI-PLANE/P1 EAA Bi-Pla
Tail NumberN3428
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C · Reciprocating · 118
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data