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NTSB Report

June 27, 1993 · Douglas B-26B · N8036E

Kankakee, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 27, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Kankakee, IL
Aircraft
Douglas B-26B
Tail Number
N8036E
Operator
Collings Foundation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93DEE02

THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF. THE PILOT SAID HE ATTEMPTED TO FEATHER THE RIGHT ENGINE PROPELLER, BUT THE PROPELLER WOULD NOT FEATHER. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED JUST OFF THE RUNWAY. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT ENGINE DISCLOSED A FRACTURED/PARTIALLY DISINTEGRATED PISTON IN THE NUMBER TEN CYLINDER. THE RIGHT ENGINE'S PROPELLER FEATHERING SYSTEM WAS ALSO INOPERATIVE.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the piston assembly in the number ten cylinder of the right engine. A factor associated with the accident was the inoperative propeller feathering system for the right engine.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 27, 1993, at 1240 hours, central daylight time, a Douglas B-26B, N8036E, collided with the ground in a field adjacent to a taxiway at the Greater Kankakee Airport, Kankakee, Illinois, during takeoff on runway 04. The Airline Transport Pilot and single passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91, departing from an on-going airshow when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. A VFR flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that at approximately 140 MPH he performed liftoff and immediately began losing substantial power on the right engine. The aircraft banked to the right and the right wingtip impacted the ground between the runway and taxiway. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The aircraft, a single-pilot World War II bomber, is operated by the Collings Foundation as a display of past military aircraft. WRECKAGE/IMPACT INFORMATION The right propeller impacted 2 blade strikes on the northwest edge of the taxiway. The left propeller impacted eight blade strikes to the southeast side of the taxiway. The aircraft came to rest on a heading of 090 degrees, approximately 250 feet off the taxiway, in a wheat field. The right wingtip received substantial damage to the outer 5 feet of the wing assembly and aileron. The left propeller and engine nose case housing separated from the aircraft as a combined unit. They were recovered approximately 100 feet behind the aircraft's resting position, and approximately 25 feet to the right of the aircraft crash path. An on-site external examination of the right engine and nacelle was performed. The scavenge oil pump screen contained a substantial amount of ferrous and non-ferrous metal pieces. The screen was not plugged. The pressure oil screen contained ferrous and non-ferrous metal particles. These particles were found in the lower layers of the screen assembly. They did not stop the flow of oil through the screens. Pistons in cylinders of the front bank (8[master rod], 10,12,14,16) did not move with the crankshaft rotation. Cylinder #10 has a hole in the side of the barrel, adjacent to cylinder #12. The connecting rod and piston assembly are not in place. Pieces of piston, piston pin, connecting rods (2), and a piece of the master connecting rod was removed through the hole in this cylinder. Cylinder #12 has a dent in the side of the barrel adjacent to #10 cylinder. The spark plug electrodes contained substantial metal pieces. Pieces of piston ring were removed through the spark plug holes. An unidentified ferrous metal piece, not that of a piston ring, could not be removed through the spark plug hole. A piece of a connecting rod was externally lodged between cylinders #10 and #9. A broken piston pin was found above the spark plug of #11 cylinder. The propeller control cable was not attached to the propeller governor control arm. No visible external damage (dents) appeared to the feathering pump assembly. The motor brushes (4) were approximately 1/2 in long. The phenolic brush block mount was broken and did not allow 1 brush to make contact with the commutator of the feathering pump motor. FIRE The fire was limited to the right engine and nacelle. It destroyed all electrical system wiring and relays, engine fluid and instrument lines and hoses, and the engine control mount at the firewall.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 CDT
Nearest AirportGreater Kankakee (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length5979 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas B-26B
Tail NumberN8036E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCollings Foundation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R2800-27 · Reciprocating · 2000
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data