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NTSB Report
May 1, 1985 · Lockheed PV-2 · N7415C
Mesa, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 1, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mesa, AZ
Aircraft
Lockheed PV-2
Tail Number
N7415C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA235
FOLLOWING A DURAL ENGINE CHANG, THE PLT TEST FLEW THE ACFT. ON INITIAL CLIMB, AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL, BOTH ENGINES BEGAN BACKFIRING VIOLENTLY & LOST POWER. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, POWER SUFFICIENT FOR FLT COULD NOT BE OBTAINED, & A FORCED LDG WAS MADE ABOUT 0.75 MILES FROM THE ARPT. THE LDG OCCURRED IN OPEN DESERT TERRAIN & THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE DID NOT CHECK THE POSITION OF THE CONTROL HANDLES FOR THE SUPERCHARGERS DURING EITHER HIS PRE-FLIGHT OR PRE-TAKEOFF INSPECTIONS. AND THE BLOWERS HAD BEEN INADVERTENTLY LEFT SET TO THE HIGH BLOWER POSITION. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE CHECKLIST WHICH HE WAS USING FOR THE ACFT DID NOT ADDRESS THE POSITION OF THE BLOWERS BECAUSE FOR THE PAST 15 YRS IT HAD BEEN COMPANY POLICY TO 'WIRE THE BLOWERS TO THE LOW BLOWER POSITION.'
Full Narrative
FOLLOWING A DURAL ENGINE CHANG, THE PLT TEST FLEW THE ACFT. ON INITIAL CLIMB, AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL, BOTH ENGINES BEGAN BACKFIRING VIOLENTLY & LOST POWER. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, POWER SUFFICIENT FOR FLT COULD NOT BE OBTAINED, & A FORCED LDG WAS MADE ABOUT 0.75 MILES FROM THE ARPT. THE LDG OCCURRED IN OPEN DESERT TERRAIN & THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE DID NOT CHECK THE POSITION OF THE CONTROL HANDLES FOR THE SUPERCHARGERS DURING EITHER HIS PRE-FLIGHT OR PRE-TAKEOFF INSPECTIONS. AND THE BLOWERS HAD BEEN INADVERTENTLY LEFT SET TO THE HIGH BLOWER POSITION. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE CHECKLIST WHICH HE WAS USING FOR THE ACFT DID NOT ADDRESS THE POSITION OF THE BLOWERS BECAUSE FOR THE PAST 15 YRS IT HAD BEEN COMPANY POLICY TO 'WIRE THE BLOWERS TO THE LOW BLOWER POSITION.'
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:57 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftLockheed PV-2
Tail NumberN7415C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-2800-31 · Reciprocating · 1450
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO