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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 29, 1986 · Easley Pitts S2-E · N777GH

Homestead, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 29, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Homestead, FL
Aircraft
Easley Pitts S2-E
Tail Number
N777GH
Operator
Eugene M Henry
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA86LA108

WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 600 FEET AFTER DEPARTURE, THE FLIGHT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. WHILE RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT ALTITUDE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. POST CRASH INSPECTION REVEALED THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER HAD FAILED AT THE POINT THE CYLINDER HEAD AND CYLINDER BARREL ARE SCREWED TOGETHER. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO CORROSION AND DIFFUSION OF IRON FROM THE CYLINDER BARREL OVER A 3 INCH AREA AT THE 3RD THREAD. THIS RESULTED IN FATIGUE AND OVERSTRESS FAILURE. CORROSION WAS FOUND TO HAVE INITIATED DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF CHLORINE IN THE THREADED AREA. WHEN THE CYLINDER WAS OVERHAULED IN FEBRUARY 1980, 214 FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE THE FAILURE, TRICHLOROETHLENE VAPOR DEGREASER WAS USED TO CLEAN THE CYLINDER PRIOR TO OVERHAUL. AFTER USE OF THE VAPOR DEGREASER THE CYLINDER WAS NOT HEATED TO REMOVE ANY EXCESS CHEMICAL FROM THE CRACKS OF THE CYLINDER.

Full Narrative

WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 600 FEET AFTER DEPARTURE, THE FLIGHT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. WHILE RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT ALTITUDE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. POST CRASH INSPECTION REVEALED THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER HAD FAILED AT THE POINT THE CYLINDER HEAD AND CYLINDER BARREL ARE SCREWED TOGETHER. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO CORROSION AND DIFFUSION OF IRON FROM THE CYLINDER BARREL OVER A 3 INCH AREA AT THE 3RD THREAD. THIS RESULTED IN FATIGUE AND OVERSTRESS FAILURE. CORROSION WAS FOUND TO HAVE INITIATED DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF CHLORINE IN THE THREADED AREA. WHEN THE CYLINDER WAS OVERHAULED IN FEBRUARY 1980, 214 FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE THE FAILURE, TRICHLOROETHLENE VAPOR DEGREASER WAS USED TO CLEAN THE CYLINDER PRIOR TO OVERHAUL. AFTER USE OF THE VAPOR DEGREASER THE CYLINDER WAS NOT HEATED TO REMOVE ANY EXCESS CHEMICAL FROM THE CRACKS OF THE CYLINDER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:42 EST
Nearest AirportHomestead General Avn. (0nm N)
Runway9
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEasley Pitts S2-E
Tail NumberN777GH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEugene M Henry
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 6 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data