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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 20, 2003 · Globe GC-1B · N3721K

Summerville, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Summerville, SC
Aircraft
Globe GC-1B
Tail Number
N3721K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL03LA143

According to the pilot, during cruise flight the engine began to make a loud "tapping" noise and began to vibrate. As the pilot maneuvered to make an emergency landing on a dirt road, the engine made a loud "bang," lost power, and collided with a gate on rollout,. Examination of the engine revealed that the number 6 connecting rod bearing failed and the connecting rod separated from the crankshaft. Review of the engine records revealed that the engine was removed from the airplane on September 29, 1987, and reinstalled on the airplane on September 22, 1998. There were no records indicating that the engine was stored in accordance with the manufactures service information letter, SIL99-1: Engine preservation for active and stored aircraft.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to the failure of the engine # 6 connecting rod bearing. A factor was the collision with a gate.

Full Narrative

On September 20, 2003, at 1115 eastern daylight time, a Globe GC-1B, N3721K, registered to and operated by a private pilot, collided with the ground in the vicinity of the city of Summerville, South Carolina, while conducting an emergency landing. The personal flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of accident. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight departed Summerville, South Carolina, on September 20, 2003, at 1100. According to the pilot, during cruise flight the engine began to make a loud "tapping" noise and began to vibrate. As the pilot maneuvered to make an emergency landing the engine made a loud "bang" and loss power. The pilot conducted an emergency landing on a dirt road and the airplane collided with a gate on rollout. Examination of the airplane revealed the right main landing gear was dislodged from the fuselage, and the outboard section of the right wing was bent upward. The pilot reported no flight control malfunctions prior to the flight. Examination of the engine revealed that the # 6 connecting rod bearing failed and the connecting rod separated from the crankshaft. Review of the engine records revealed that the engine was removed from the airplane on September 29, 1987, and reinstalled on the airplane on September 22, 1998. There was no record that showed the engine was stored in accordance with the manufactures service information letter, SIL99-1: "Engine Preservation For Active and Stored Aircraft".

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 EDT
Nearest AirportCharleston Executive (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGlobe GC-1B
Tail NumberN3721K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-125-2 · Reciprocating · 105
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data