FERNANDINA BCH, FL, USA
N18FL
MONCRIEF ZODIAC 601
WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN THE PILOT OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE NOTED THE PROPELLER FLEW OFF THE ENGINE. HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A MARSH SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER RETENTION BOLTS REVEALED FRACTURE SURFACES WITH SIGNATURES CONSISTENT WITH FATIGUE DUE TO UNDERTORQUE.
On May 28, 1995, about 1515 eastern daylight time, N18FL, a homebuilt, Moncrief-Zodiac 601 crashed short of the runway at Fernandina Beach Airport, Fernandina Beach, Florida, while on a local 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from the same airport about 30 minutes earlier. The pilot stated that while on approach for runway 05 the propeller separated from the airplane and he landed short of the runway. Examination of the propeller retention bolts revealed that the fracture surfaces exhibited signatures of failure consistent with fatigue due to inadequate torque.
THE FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO ADEQUATELY TORQUE THE PROPELLER BOLTS DURING THE LAST INSPECTION RESULTING IN THE BOLT FAILURES AND THE LOSS OF THE PROPELLER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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