Fairchild M-62A-3 N79307

Summary

On 4 September 2004 at about 17:00 local time, a Fairchild M-62A-3 registered N79307 was involved in an accident near Corsicana, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 September 2004 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Corsicana, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Corsicana Field (CRS)

Coordinates

32.0281, -96.4006

Aircraft

Fairchild M-62A-3

Registration

N79307

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Corsicana → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW04FA232

2 people died.

The loss of engine power due to a faulty carburetor and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during the forced landing after takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A witness observed the single engine vintage airplane in level flight and suddenly nose dive into the ground shortly after takeoff. Several witnesses at the airport reported that the pilot taxied the airplane to the runway run-up area and taxi back to a hangar, where he performed work on the airplane. Upon completing the work, the pilot taxied back to the runway, and proceeded to takeoff. A private individual who shared the hangar with the 8,000-hour pilot stated that he found a can of solvent and a sparkplug cleaner out of place and next to the air compressor the day of the accident. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed they were free of anomalies. Examination of the carburetor (Model MA-4-5, part number 10-2301, serial number 3908881) revealed the lower piece of the two piece venturi was dislodged and cocked over to one side. The legs of the lower piece were fractured and displayed evidence of carbon. The mating gasket between the upper and low body of the carburetor was imploded in two locations. Excessive soot and blackening was observed in the carburetor throat during disassembly examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.