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July 8, 2010 · Douglas A4L · N132AT

Fallon, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 8, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Fallon, NV
Aircraft
Douglas A4L
Tail Number
N132AT
Operator
Airborne Tactical Advantage
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR10LA339

According to the pilot, he entered a right-hand climbing turn after departure and the engine experienced a loss of thrust. The pilot reversed direction and attempted to land on the runway in the opposite direction, but the airplane was too low and slow to make it back to the runway. He elected to steer the airplane in the direction of an empty field and successfully ejected. The operator reported that their postaccident examination of the engine determined that the protective coating on the turbine blades and stators had degraded. This degradation led to the eventual failure of the stator vanes and then the turbine blades. They could not establish the exact reason for the degradation of the protective coating.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power during takeoff due to the failure of the engine's stator and turbine. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance.

Full Narrative

On July 8, 2010, about 1340 Pacific daylight time, a Douglas A4L, N132AT, collided with terrain after the pilot ejected following a loss of engine power on takeoff from Fallon Naval Air Station, Fallon, Nevada. Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC) was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 on a local public-use flight. The airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage by impact forces and post crash fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The operator reported that the takeoff and gear and flap retraction were normal. The pilot started a right turn for departure from the airport traffic area during the initial climb when the engine lost power. He reversed his turn, and attempted to land on the runway in the opposite direction of the takeoff. The airplane was too low and slow, so he steered the airplane in the direction of an empty field and successfully ejected. The airplane exploded on impact. The operator reported that their examination of the engine determined that the protective coating on the turbine blades and stators had degraded. This degradation led to the eventual failure of the stator vanes and then the turbine blades. They could not establish the exact reason for the degradation of the protective coating. The operator listed several contributing factors. They were unaware of a requirement to down trim the engines to a maximum of 102 percent until an associated technical change had been complied with. The airplane had a modified electrical start system that resulted in starts that approached the flight manual time and temperature maximum limits. During the post accident exam, they discovered a broken fuel tube due to fatigue in the combustion chamber at the 11 o'clock position. The operator believes that none of the contributing conditions caused the engine problem. However, they stated that the combination of the three led to the degradation of the protective coatings on the stators and blades in the turbine section, and ultimately the failure of the turbine blades.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:40 PDT
Nearest AirportFallon Nas (1nm)
Runway31R
Runway Length11079 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas A4L
Tail NumberN132AT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAirborne Tactical Advantage
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsCurtis Wright · J-65-20 · Turbojet
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point23 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:44
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data