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NTSB Report
November 23, 1985 · North American T-28A · N9867C
Lantana, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 23, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Lantana, FL
Aircraft
North American T-28A
Tail Number
N9867C
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA86FA033
THE PILOT/MECHANIC HAD RECENTLY RE-INSTALLED A REBUILT ENGINE IN THE AIRCRAFT AND PERFORMED A VERY SHORT RUN-UP PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. WITNESSES STATED THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE MADE POPPING NOISES AND WAS BELCHING BLACK SMOKE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE AND MUSHED AROUND A LEFT 180 DEGREE TURN BEFORE CRASHING IN A SWAMPY AREA AT THE AIRPORT EDGE. EXAMINATION OF THE IGNITION HARNESS AND SPARK PLUGS REVEALED THAT A 7 MM HARNESS WAS INSTALLED UTILIZING 5 MM SPARKPLUG CONNECTORS. SIX SPARKPLUGS EXHIBITED EVIDENCE OF FLASHOVER IN THE SPARKPLUG CONNECTOR WELLS. THIS CAUSED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS OF THE TOTAL REQUIRED POWER AVAILABLE AND NECESSARY FOR FLIGHT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT/MECHANIC HAD RECENTLY RE-INSTALLED A REBUILT ENGINE IN THE AIRCRAFT AND PERFORMED A VERY SHORT RUN-UP PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. WITNESSES STATED THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE MADE POPPING NOISES AND WAS BELCHING BLACK SMOKE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE AND MUSHED AROUND A LEFT 180 DEGREE TURN BEFORE CRASHING IN A SWAMPY AREA AT THE AIRPORT EDGE. EXAMINATION OF THE IGNITION HARNESS AND SPARK PLUGS REVEALED THAT A 7 MM HARNESS WAS INSTALLED UTILIZING 5 MM SPARKPLUG CONNECTORS. SIX SPARKPLUGS EXHIBITED EVIDENCE OF FLASHOVER IN THE SPARKPLUG CONNECTOR WELLS. THIS CAUSED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS OF THE TOTAL REQUIRED POWER AVAILABLE AND NECESSARY FOR FLIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:28 EST
Nearest AirportPalm Beach County (0nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length3485 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftNorth American T-28A
Tail NumberN9867C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · R-1300-1B · Reciprocating · 800
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC