Summary
On April 14, 1999, a Zemp AVID CATALINA (N9224T) was involved in an accident near Sebring, FL. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The in-flight separation of one of the propeller blade's and one of the engine's exhaust pipes causing the engine to vibrate until it stopped running. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing.
On April 14, 1999, about 1700 eastern daylight time, an experimental Zemp Avid Catalina, N9224T, registered to Microlite Jet Engines, Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed following an in-flight propeller blade(s) separation near Sebring, Florida. The amphibian aircraft was substantially damaged, and the private-rated pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Avon Park Municipal Airport (AVO) about 1 hour before the accident.
According to the pilot's statement, the flight was at 1,000 feet agl, in cruise, when he heard a "bang", experienced severe vibration of the whole airframe, and when he reduced power, the engine stopped running.
This accident is documented in NTSB report MIA99LA130. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9224T.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The in-flight separation of one of the propeller blade's and one of the engine's exhaust pipes causing the engine to vibrate until it stopped running. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On April 14, 1999, about 1700 eastern daylight time, an experimental Zemp Avid Catalina, N9224T, registered to Microlite Jet Engines, Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed following an in-flight propeller blade(s) separation near Sebring, Florida. The amphibian aircraft was substantially damaged, and the private-rated pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Avon Park Municipal Airport (AVO) about 1 hour before the accident.
According to the pilot's statement, the flight was at 1,000 feet agl, in cruise, when he heard a "bang", experienced severe vibration of the whole airframe, and when he reduced power, the engine stopped running. The pilot and his passenger determined their only option was to try a forced landing to a clear area within an old citrus grove. As the touchdown area emerged clearer in the pilot's view, he decided to leave the main landing gear up on the hull configured airplane due to the uneven terrain. Upon landing, the right pontoon collided with a small tree/sand dune, and the airplane ground looped and came to rest inverted.
Additionally, according to the pilot, postcrash examination of the airplane by he and the passenger revealed two of the three composite propeller blades of the pusher configured engine were missing except for about 10-inches from the hub, outward. Also missing was the engine's front/left side exhaust pipe. The stub of the exhaust pipe remaining shows a 360-degree circumferential crack. An engineering drawing supplied by the pilot detailing the failure is included in this report under, "Other Pertinent Forms and Reports".
According to the FAA inspector, the pilot and his passenger, both Swiss nationals, were in this country for only a short time during the 1999 Sun 'N' Fun EAA Convention at Lakeland, Florida. Before the inspector could personally examine the wreckage, the pilot had removed the engine, sold it at Sun 'N' Fun, stored what was left of the airframe in a "T" hangar of a friend at AVO, and returned to Switzerland. Statements made by the friend are included in this report under, "Other Pertinent Forms and Reports".
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA99LA130