North American NAVION 4 N8648H
12 July 1994 · Dupont, Louisiana, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 12 July 1994 at about 15:10 local time, a North American NAVION 4 registered N8648H was involved in an accident near Dupont, Louisiana, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 15:10
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Dupont, Louisiana, United States
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- North American NAVION 4
- Registration
- N8648H
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Baton Rouge → Alexandria
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW94LA230
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE ADJUSTMENT OF ACCESSORY DRIVE STARTER GEAR SCREWS WHICH DISENGAGED IN FLIGHT. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING AND NON COMPLIANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE SERVICE LETTER.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE IN AN EFFORT TO CLEAR TREES AND WIRE. TWO 1/4 INCH 20 BY 15/16 INCH HEX SCREWS WERE FOUND LOOSE DURING THE ENGINE EXAMINATION. THESE SCREWS HOLD THE STARTER GEAR PIVOT IN PLACE. ONE OF THE SCREWS WAS OUT 1 INCH AND THE STARTER GEAR WAS FOUND MISALIGNED AND ACCESSORY GEAR TEETH WERE GRINDING. METAL WAS SHAVED FROM THE STARTER GEAR AND METAL WAS FOUND IN THE OIL SCREEN. GEAR TEETH MISSING FROM THE AFT CRANKSHAFT GEAR DISENGAGED THE CRANKSHAFT FROM THE AFT CAMSHAFT GEAR BREAKING ENGINE CONTINUITY. THE ENGINE WAS ASSEMBLED ON JULY 14, 1992. RECORDS DID NOT INDICATE THAT A MANUFACTURER SERVICE LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 13, 1993, WHICH CONTAINED INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE HEX SCREW TIGHTENING PROCEDURES AND TAB WASHER INSTALLATION HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other North American NAVION accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Dec 1994 | North American NAVION-A | Big Bear City, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 17 May 1992 | North American NAVION | Sabina, Ohio, United States | Carol K Hanshell | Minor injuries | - |
| 9 Jun 1992 | North American NAVION | Spokane, Washington, United States | West, Alvin | No injuries | - |
| 16 Mar 1992 | North American NAVION | Elbe, Washington, United States | Smith, Scott W. III & Chris A. | Minor injuries | - |
| 20 Oct 1991 | North American NAVION D | Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, United States | Rempert, Roger L. | No injuries | - |
| 5 Jun 1997 | North American NAVION | Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Jan 1994 | Piper PA-34-200 | Vacherie, Louisiana, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 10 Mar 1994 | Bell 206BIII | Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 13 Mar 1994 | Piper PA-22-150 | Olla, Louisiana, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Mar 1994 | Piper PA-12 | Rayville, Louisiana, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 20 Mar 1994 | Cessna 175 | Leesville, Louisiana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Oct 1994 | Grumman G-164B | Oak Grove, Louisiana, United States | Same AS Registered Owner | No injuries | - |