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NTSB Report
July 27, 1987 · Aero Commander 520 · N4164B
Carrollton, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Carrollton, TX
Aircraft
Aero Commander 520
Tail Number
N4164B
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW87FA177
ACFT WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT STRUCK PWR LINES AND THE GRND DURING A SINGLE ENG GO-AROUND. FOLLOWING A LEFT ENG SHUT DOWN DUE TO SEVERE VIBRATIONS, THE PLT OVERFLEW ONE ARPT TO RETURN TO HIS HOME BASE. EN ROUTE, HE ELECTED NOT TO GO TO FULL PWR DUE TO A 3 MIN LIMITATION HE DID NOT WANT TO EXCEED. THE PLT OVERSHOT THE RWY WHILE MANUALLY EXTENDING THE NOSE GEAR AND ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A RT 270 DEG TURN TO RETURN TO FINAL WHILE AT 100-150' AGL. NLG DID NOT EXTEND DUE TO HYD PUMP BEING ON LEFT ENG AND NO PRESSURE. DURING THE TURN, THE PLT LOST CONTROL AND THE ACFT STRUCK THE WIRES. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE BLADE PITCH CHANGE LINKS ON THE LEFT PROP HAD DISCONNECTED, ALLOWING ONE BLADE TO FREE FLOAT. THE LINK PIN ASSEMBLY HAD BACKED OUT AS A RESULT OF THE SAFETY SCREW BACKING OUT DUE TO DAMAGED AND STRIPPED THREADS AND AN IMPROPER LENGTH SCREW BEING INSTALLED. PROPS HAD 1/4' SAFETY SCREWS INSTALLED INSTEAD OF 3/8'.
Full Narrative
ACFT WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT STRUCK PWR LINES AND THE GRND DURING A SINGLE ENG GO-AROUND. FOLLOWING A LEFT ENG SHUT DOWN DUE TO SEVERE VIBRATIONS, THE PLT OVERFLEW ONE ARPT TO RETURN TO HIS HOME BASE. EN ROUTE, HE ELECTED NOT TO GO TO FULL PWR DUE TO A 3 MIN LIMITATION HE DID NOT WANT TO EXCEED. THE PLT OVERSHOT THE RWY WHILE MANUALLY EXTENDING THE NOSE GEAR AND ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A RT 270 DEG TURN TO RETURN TO FINAL WHILE AT 100-150' AGL. NLG DID NOT EXTEND DUE TO HYD PUMP BEING ON LEFT ENG AND NO PRESSURE. DURING THE TURN, THE PLT LOST CONTROL AND THE ACFT STRUCK THE WIRES. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE BLADE PITCH CHANGE LINKS ON THE LEFT PROP HAD DISCONNECTED, ALLOWING ONE BLADE TO FREE FLOAT. THE LINK PIN ASSEMBLY HAD BACKED OUT AS A RESULT OF THE SAFETY SCREW BACKING OUT DUE TO DAMAGED AND STRIPPED THREADS AND AN IMPROPER LENGTH SCREW BEING INSTALLED. PROPS HAD 1/4' SAFETY SCREWS INSTALLED INSTEAD OF 3/8'.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:01 CDT
Nearest AirportADDISON (1nm N)
Runway15
Runway Length7199 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAero Commander 520
Tail NumberN4164B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · GO-435-C2B2 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:01
Weather SourceWFAC