CAMBRIA, NY, USA
N64BT
NA 64
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER HE MADE A PHOTO FLY-BY, HE BEGAN TO CLIMB. AT ABOUT 400 FT AGL, THE ENGINE FAILED AND HE BEGAN A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE APPROACH, THE TAIL WHEEL CAUGHT ON TWO ELECTRICAL WIRES AND THE AIRCRAFT PANCAKED ONTO A PAVED ROAD, THEN SLID INTO A PLOWED FIELD. A LIVE WIRE WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE TAIL WHEEL. DURING IMPACT, THE FUEL TANKS RUPTURED, AND REPORTEDLY, THE LIVE WIRE IGNITED THE FUEL. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE IMPELLER HAD FAILED. THE FORE AND AFT BALL BEARINGS THAT SUPPORT THE IMPELLER WERE BURNT AND DETERIORATED. THE BALLS WERE FLATTENED AND FOUND LOOSE FROM THE RACES. THE IMPELLER BLADES WERE DAMAGED AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE IMPELLER FACE HAD MILLED AND GOUGED THE DIFFUSER SECTION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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