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NTSB Report
December 19, 1987 · Mbb 109 · N8575
Harlingen, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 19, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Harlingen, TX
Aircraft
Mbb 109
Tail Number
N8575
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW88DRG04
THE SET OF FLOATS WHICH ALLOWS A HIGH FUEL FLOW IN THIS CARBURETOR FOR HIGH POWER SETTINGS USED FOR TAKEOFF, CLIMB, ETC., HAD CRACKED AND SWOLLEN TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THEY WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE FLOAT CHAMBER WALLS AND FLOAT CHAMBER SHROUD TUBES. THIS INTERFERENCE PREVENTED ADEQUATE FUEL FLOW FOR HIGH POWER OPERATION OF THE ENGINE DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB WHICH TERMINATED IN THE ACCIDENT. THERE WERE NO ENTRIES IN THE MAINTENANCE LOGS WHICH INDICATED ANY MAINTENANCE OR INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR SINCE THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEW (1959).
Full Narrative
THE SET OF FLOATS WHICH ALLOWS A HIGH FUEL FLOW IN THIS CARBURETOR FOR HIGH POWER SETTINGS USED FOR TAKEOFF, CLIMB, ETC., HAD CRACKED AND SWOLLEN TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THEY WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE FLOAT CHAMBER WALLS AND FLOAT CHAMBER SHROUD TUBES. THIS INTERFERENCE PREVENTED ADEQUATE FUEL FLOW FOR HIGH POWER OPERATION OF THE ENGINE DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB WHICH TERMINATED IN THE ACCIDENT. THERE WERE NO ENTRIES IN THE MAINTENANCE LOGS WHICH INDICATED ANY MAINTENANCE OR INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR SINCE THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEW (1959).
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:33 CST
Nearest AirportRio Grande Valley Int. (2nm SSE)
Runway13
Runway Length5950 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftMbb 109
Tail NumberN8575
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 500-29 · Reciprocating · 1490
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 25 kt, gusting 38 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:36
Weather SourceWFAC