ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 286470
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| Date: | Saturday 17 October 2009 |
| Time: | 14:05 LT |
| Type: |  Avro 504K |
| Owner/operator: | Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum |
| Registration: | N4929 |
| MSN: | HAC1 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 207 hours |
| Engine model: | LERHONE TYPE C |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Rhinebeck, New York -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Demo/Airshow/Display |
| Departure airport: | Rhinebeck, NY (NY94) |
| Rhinebeck, NY (NY94) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot was performing an aerial demonstration for spectators. Shortly after takeoff, he heard a 'thump,†the engine lost power, and he performed a forced landing in trees. Post-accident inspection of the wreckage revealed a keeper and cotter pin that connects the push rod to the number 3 cylinder valve rocker arm was missing. The high-tension spark plug lead to the number 5 cylinder was severed. The pilot, who also maintains the aircraft, believes the flailing spark plug lead flew into the commutator ring, shorting out other cylinders and leading to a total power loss. The missing hardware from the number 3 cylinder was never recovered. According to maintenance records, the airplane received a condition inspection on September 22, 2009. During that inspection, the number 5 cylinder was removed for repair and reinstalled, and the other rocker arms and valve springs were inspected.
Probable Cause: A loss of engine power due to the in-flight separation of the number 3 cylinder valve rocker arm attachment hardware. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance inspection of the engine.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB ERA10LA021
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 03-Oct-2022 11:17 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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