Pazmany PL 4 N44PL

Summary

On 10 May 2014 at about 17:15 local time, a Pazmany PL 4 registered N44PL was involved in an accident near Yates City, Illinois, United States. One person was 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

10 May 2014 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Yates City, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Tri-County (2C6)

Coordinates

40.7739, -90.0744

Aircraft

Pazmany PL 4

Registration

N44PL

Category

Airplane

Year built

1972

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Yates City → Yates City

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14LA235

1 person had minor injuries.

A loss of propeller thrust due to a failure of the reduction drive unit resulting from the improper installation of the unit. Contributing to the accident was a lack of documentation for the reduction drive unit installation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While in the airport traffic pattern, the airplane sustained a complete loss of thrust and an increase in engine speed, which the pilot interpreted as a loss of engine power to the propeller. He subsequently executed a forced landing to an open field. A postaccident examination revealed that the propeller reduction drive pulley had moved downward within the mounting bracket slot, creating slack in the cog belts that resulted in a loss of input drive power to the propeller. The reduction drive manufacturer did not provide any formal documentation for the installation. As a result, the pilot/builder was not aware that a secondary fitting to secure the pulley within the bracket needed to be installed with the drive unit components.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.