Zemp AVID CATALINA N9224T

Summary

On 14 April 1999 at about 21:00 local time, a Zemp AVID CATALINA registered N9224T, operated by Adrian M. Zemp, was involved in an accident near Sebring, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 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.

Date

14 April 1999 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Sebring, Florida, United States

Coordinates

27.4897, -81.4505

Aircraft

Zemp AVID CATALINA

Registration

N9224T

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Adrian M. Zemp

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Avon Park → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA99LA130

2 people had minor injuries.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during cruise flight, at 1,000-feet agl, his experimental, pusher engine, hull configured amphibian sustained a propeller blade(s) separation and when he reduced power to alleviate the extreme vibration, the engine quit. The pilot's only option was to attempt an emergency landing to a clear spot in an abandoned orange grove. The aircraft collided with sand furrows and high vegetation sustaining heavy damage to the airframe. Examination of the wreckage revealed that 2 of the 3 composite propeller blades were missing as well as the engine's left/front exhaust pipe. All that remained of the missing exhaust pipe was its attaching hardware to its exhaust port and a short stub revealing a 360-degree circumferential crack.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.