COLUMBUS, MS, USA
3500Z
AERO MERCANTIL S.A. GAVILAN 358 EL-1
WHILE DESCENDING TO LAND, THE ENG QUIT. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING THE LANDING ROLL FOLLOWING THE FORCED LANDING. THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED & TAKEN TO A FACILITY WHERE THE ENG WAS REMOVED FOR EXAMINATION. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED NEAR THE REAR MAIN BEARING. ALSO, EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT THE REAR MAIN BEARING SPUN IN ITS SUPPORT AND WAS PARTIALLY EXTRUDED INTO THE ACCESSORY SECTION. EXAMINATION OF THE CRANKCASE HALVES ADJACENT TO THE REAR MAIN BEARING INDICATED FRETTING. THE ENG HAD ACCUMULATED 174 HRS SINCE NEW. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE CRANKSHAFT REVEALED THAT IT FAILED DUE TO HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE.
FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT DUE TO IMPROPER ENGINE ASSEMBLY BY THE MANUFACTURER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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