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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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NTSB Report

August 14, 1991 · Beech J35 · N3028C

San Jose, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
San Jose, CA
Aircraft
Beech J35
Tail Number
N3028C
Operator
Dtb Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA358

THE ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED AND MODIFIED ABOUT SIX OPERATING HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WITH A NEW TYPE OF CAM SHAFT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF A SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS IN LEVEL CRUISE WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG EMANATE FROM THE ENGINE CONCURRENTLY WITH IT STOPPING. AN INITIAL INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT ON SITE BY FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED THAT OIL COVERED THE WIND SHIELD. THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER ROD WAS OBSERVED TO BE PROTRUDING FROM A HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE ENGINE CASE. ONE COUNTER WEIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND MISSING FROM THE CRANKSHAFT COUNTERWEIGHT BLADE. THE MISSING COUNTERWEIGHT, COVER PLATES, RETAINING CIR-CLIPS, AND ASSOCIATED BUSHINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN. OPTICAL EXAMINATION OF THE RECOVERED PIECES REVEALED THAT THE RETAINING CIR-CLIP FAILED, ALLOWING THE COUNTER WEIGHT PIN AND THE WEIGHT ITSELF TO SEPARATE FROM THE CRANKSHAFT. THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT THE CIR-CLIP HAD BEEN INSTALLED BACKWARDS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT COUNTERWEIGHT RETAINING CLIP DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE INSTALLATION OF THE PART.

Full Narrative

THE ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED AND MODIFIED ABOUT SIX OPERATING HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WITH A NEW TYPE OF CAM SHAFT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF A SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS IN LEVEL CRUISE WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG EMANATE FROM THE ENGINE CONCURRENTLY WITH IT STOPPING. AN INITIAL INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT ON SITE BY FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED THAT OIL COVERED THE WIND SHIELD. THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER ROD WAS OBSERVED TO BE PROTRUDING FROM A HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE ENGINE CASE. ONE COUNTER WEIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND MISSING FROM THE CRANKSHAFT COUNTERWEIGHT BLADE. THE MISSING COUNTERWEIGHT, COVER PLATES, RETAINING CIR-CLIPS, AND ASSOCIATED BUSHINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN. OPTICAL EXAMINATION OF THE RECOVERED PIECES REVEALED THAT THE RETAINING CIR-CLIP FAILED, ALLOWING THE COUNTER WEIGHT PIN AND THE WEIGHT ITSELF TO SEPARATE FROM THE CRANKSHAFT. THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT THE CIR-CLIP HAD BEEN INSTALLED BACKWARDS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech J35
Tail NumberN3028C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDtb Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-C · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 12 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data