North American NAVION B N512AK
10 August 1997 · Las Vegas, Nevada, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 10 August 1997 at about 14:40 local time, a North American NAVION B registered N512AK, operated by Brian Banks, was involved in an accident near Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:40
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
- Nearest airport
- North Las Vegas (VGT)
- Coordinates
- 36.2094, -115.1202
- Aircraft
- North American NAVION B
- Registration
- N512AK
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Brian Banks
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX97LA280
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The separation of the number 3 cylinder due to improper overhaul procedures, and the failure to adequately torque the cylinder hold down nuts and through bolts to specification.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot completed a run-up with no malfunctions noted, and was cleared for a left downwind departure. As he was departing from the downwind he felt a vibration on the yoke and was returning to land. About 10 seconds later the vibration on the yoke became violent. An explosion occurred and the cabin reportedly filled with smoke. A second explosion followed and the cowling departed the right side of the aircraft and struck the windshield. The pilot made a landing in a residential area, striking a tree and a vehicle during the landing sequence. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder had separated from the engine, and the hold down nuts to the No's. 1 and 5 cylinders were hand tight. Review of the maintenance records disclosed no evidence of cylinder removals since the last overhaul in 1982, which was 55 hours prior to the accident.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other North American NAVION accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Jun 1997 | North American NAVION | Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 18 May 1997 | North American NAVION NA-1 | Morristown, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Aug 1998 | North American NAVION | Salinas, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 26 Jun 1998 | North American NAVION | San Andreas, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jun 1999 | North American NAVION L-17A | Osceola, Wisconsin, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Dec 1994 | North American NAVION-A | Big Bear City, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Nov 1997 | Piper PA-23-250 | Carson City, Nevada, United States | - | Fatal | 4 |
| 16 Oct 1997 | Mikoyan Mig MIG 15UTI | Reno, Nevada, United States | Howard A. Torman | Serious injuries | - |
| 19 Oct 1997 | Stinson AT-19 | North Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Garry C. Waite | No injuries | - |
| 24 Oct 1997 | Cessna 170B | Fernley, Nevada, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 1 Nov 1997 | Rodgers/Gaust RV-6 | Wellington, Nevada, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 24 Feb 1997 | Bell 206B | Mountain Spring, Nevada, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |