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NTSB Report
July 27, 1984 · E L Griggs Q2 · N1180A
Hollister, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hollister, CA
Aircraft
E L Griggs Q2
Tail Number
N1180A
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX84FVM01
THE ACFT PASSED OVER THE ARPT TWICE AFTER DEPARTURE WITH THE ENGINE POPPING AND BACKFIRING. A WITNESS WHO HEARD THIS RADIOED THE PLT TO WARN HIM. THE PLT REPLIED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO CORRECT IT WITH THE MIXTURE CONTROL. THE PLT WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT HIS RADIO HAD BACKGROUND NOISE AND A SQUEAL. THE PLT REPLIED THAT IT MUST BE THE OPERATOR. THEACFT THEN FLEW OUT OF SIGHT. ANOTHER WITNESS HEARD THE ENGINE BACKFIRING AND LOOKED IN TIME TO SEE PARTS FALLING OFF OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT CRASHED INVERTED. THE MAIN WINGS WERE FOUND 165 AND 300 FT FROM THE FUSELAGE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD INSTALLED A MODIFIED WING FUEL TANK IN THE FOAM FILLED WING AND THE USE OF AUTO GAS HAD DISSOLVED THE FOAM FILLING BY A LEAK, SPILLAGE, OR OVERFLOW. THE FOAM WAS TESTED WITH AVGAS AND NO DAMAGE RESULTED.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT PASSED OVER THE ARPT TWICE AFTER DEPARTURE WITH THE ENGINE POPPING AND BACKFIRING. A WITNESS WHO HEARD THIS RADIOED THE PLT TO WARN HIM. THE PLT REPLIED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO CORRECT IT WITH THE MIXTURE CONTROL. THE PLT WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT HIS RADIO HAD BACKGROUND NOISE AND A SQUEAL. THE PLT REPLIED THAT IT MUST BE THE OPERATOR. THEACFT THEN FLEW OUT OF SIGHT. ANOTHER WITNESS HEARD THE ENGINE BACKFIRING AND LOOKED IN TIME TO SEE PARTS FALLING OFF OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT CRASHED INVERTED. THE MAIN WINGS WERE FOUND 165 AND 300 FT FROM THE FUSELAGE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD INSTALLED A MODIFIED WING FUEL TANK IN THE FOAM FILLED WING AND THE USE OF AUTO GAS HAD DISSOLVED THE FOAM FILLING BY A LEAK, SPILLAGE, OR OVERFLOW. THE FOAM WAS TESTED WITH AVGAS AND NO DAMAGE RESULTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:21 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftE L Griggs Q2
Tail NumberN1180A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A57 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0