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NTSB Report
July 21, 1990 · Charles T Brietigam RV-4 · N87CT
San Andreas, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
San Andreas, CA
Aircraft
Charles T Brietigam RV-4
Tail Number
N87CT
Operator
Brietigam George S
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX90DVG13
THE PILOT OF A HOMEBUILT EXPERIENCED A SEVERE ENGINE VIBRATION DURING FLIGHT AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN PRIOR TO THE APPROACH. GROUND AND AIRBORNE WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT APPROACH THE FIELD FROM OVERHEAD. HE PROCEEDED TO LINE THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE RUNWAY AND THEN EXECUTED A 360 DEGREE TURN WHEN OVER THE RUNWAY AT AN ESTIMATED 100 TO 150 FEET. RUNWAY IS 3600 FEET LONG. DURING THE TURN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE AND DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FOUND FOUR BROKEN PROPELLER BOLTS AND SEVERE BOLT AND BUSHING ELONGATION ON THE PROPELLER EXTENSION AND SPINNER BULKHEAD.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF FOUR PROPELLER RETENTION BOLTS WHICH REQUIRED THE ENGINE TO BE SHUT DOWN. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE FORCED LANDING APPROACH.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF A HOMEBUILT EXPERIENCED A SEVERE ENGINE VIBRATION DURING FLIGHT AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN PRIOR TO THE APPROACH. GROUND AND AIRBORNE WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT APPROACH THE FIELD FROM OVERHEAD. HE PROCEEDED TO LINE THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE RUNWAY AND THEN EXECUTED A 360 DEGREE TURN WHEN OVER THE RUNWAY AT AN ESTIMATED 100 TO 150 FEET. RUNWAY IS 3600 FEET LONG. DURING THE TURN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE AND DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FOUND FOUR BROKEN PROPELLER BOLTS AND SEVERE BOLT AND BUSHING ELONGATION ON THE PROPELLER EXTENSION AND SPINNER BULKHEAD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:05 PDT
Nearest AirportCalaveras Co. (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length3600 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCharles T Brietigam RV-4
Tail NumberN87CT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBrietigam George S
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC