Moncrief ZODIAC 601 N18FL

Summary

On 28 May 1995 at about 19:15 local time, a Moncrief ZODIAC 601 registered N18FL was involved in an accident near Fernandina Bch, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 May 1995 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Fernandina Bch, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Fernandina Beach (55J)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Moncrief ZODIAC 601

Registration

N18FL

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA95LA140

Nobody was injured.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.