Castle GLASAIR II-SRG N676EC

Summary

On 22 June 2002 at about 16:00 local time, a Castle GLASAIR II-SRG registered N676EC was involved in an accident near Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and one 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

22 June 2002 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

41.1372, -77.4189

Aircraft

Castle GLASAIR II-SRG

Registration

N676EC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lock Haven → Parkersburg

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD02LA062

1 person had minor injuries.

The failure of the crankshaft due to a lack of lubrication.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Shortly after take-off, the pilot reported that the engine began to run rough, backfire, and vibrate severely, along with an increase in oil temperature. Examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was fractured through the #3 main bearing journal. Fluorescent magnetic particle inspection of the crankshaft revealed over 50 axial cracks in the #3 main bearing journal. Examination of the three of the cracks revealed that each exhibited rehardening, rehardening and slight tempering, and tempering, consistent with a lack of lubrication. The engine was last overhauled in 1993, at which time, the crankshaft was replaced. The pilot reported that he bought the engine in 1993 from the individual who performed the overhaul. He said there were no maintenance logbooks for the engine, and the service history of the crankshaft was unknown.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.