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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 10, 1995 · Siai-Marchetti SF.260TP · N915WJ

Lakeland, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lakeland, FL
Aircraft
Siai-Marchetti SF.260TP
Tail Number
N915WJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA95LA220

THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE TORQUE ROLLED BACK TO ZERO DURING CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PROPELLER APPEARED TO GO TO A FLAT PITCH POSITION AND AIRSPEED DECREASED RAPIDLY. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN RISING TERRAIN ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION SHOWED THE ENGINE FUEL CONTROL AND ENGINE FUEL PUMP WERE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER. NO OTHER EVIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPONENT MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE AIRCRAFT HAD RECENTLY BEEN IMPORTED TO THE UNITED STATES FROM HAITI AND DID NOT HAVE AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE.

NTSB Probable Cause

WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL, AND AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Full Narrative

On September 10, 1995, about 1350 eastern daylight time, a Siai-Marchetti SF.260TP, N915WJ, registered to World Jet, Inc., crashed shortly after takeoff from Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during takeoff while climbing through about 200 feet with the landing gear retracted, the engine torque rolled back to zero. The propeller seemed to go to a flat pitch position and the airspeed decreased rapidly. He lowered the landing gear and elected to land in the grass to the side of the runway because the landing gear was still in transit. The aircraft touched down on rising terrain and the right main landing gear collapsed. The propeller and the nose landing gear then hit the ground. The propeller and engine nose case separated and the aircraft came to rest. Postcrash examination by an FAA inspector of the engine showed the external appearance of the engine was normal and there were no visual indications of internal damage. The engine fuel control, engine fuel pump, engine bleed valve, and propeller governor were removed for testing. See attached statement. Postcrash testing of the engine fuel control and engine fuel pump showed that each unit contained water contamination. Additionally, each unit operated within manufacturers' specifications when placed on a test stand. The engine bleed valve operated normally on a test stand. The propeller governor had sustained impact damage to the control linkage attach arm. The governor rotated normally and showed no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction. Examination of FAA aircraft records retained at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, showed that no airworthiness certificate had been issued for the aircraft. Federal Aviation Regulation 91.203 states that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it an appropriate and current airworthiness certificate. The aircraft was released to the registered owner on November 2, 1995. The engine components that were removed for testing by NTSB were returned to the pilot on December 11, 1995.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:50 EDT
Nearest AirportLakeland Regional (1nm E)
Runway9
Runway Length8500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSiai-Marchetti SF.260TP
Tail NumberN915WJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-B17C · Turboprop · 420
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility12 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8500 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:57
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data