Taylorcraft F19 N20001

Summary

On 13 February 1995 at about 19:40 local time, a Taylorcraft F19 registered N20001 was involved in an accident near Tullahoma, Tennessee, United States. 2 people were 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

13 February 1995 at 19:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Tullahoma, Tennessee, United States

Coordinates

35.3705, -86.1999

Aircraft

Taylorcraft F19

Registration

N20001

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tullamoma → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL95LA051

Nobody was injured.

A LACK OF LUBRICANT TO THE STARTER/ROLLER CLUTCH, SEIZURE OF THE STARTER, AND FAILURE OF THE FOUR CRANKSHAFT GEAR CAPSCREWS (BOLTS), WHICH RESULTED IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CRANKSHAFT (ACCESSORY) GEAR AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE MANEUVERING NEAR HIS RESIDENCE, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER. HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD, BUT THE AIRPLANE HIT A FENCE AND ENCOUNTERED UNEVEN TERRAIN DURING THE LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE STARTER ROLLER CLUTCH, WHICH HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE FLIGHT, HAD SEIZED. THE ROLLER CLUTCH WAS IN PLACE, BUT THE ROLLERS WERE FOUND TO HAVE MELTED AND HAD WELDED TO THE SHAFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, ALL FOUR OF THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR CAPSCREWS HAD FAILED, RESULTING IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR AND SUBSEQUENT POWER LOSS. A SERVICE BULLETIN (TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL M79-10) HAD BEEN ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN JUNE OF 1979 TO PROVIDE PRESSURIZED LUBRICATION OF THE ROLLER CLUTCH STARTERS, BUT THE SERVICE BULLETIN HAD NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN SHIPPED FROM THE FACTORY ON 5/26/78 (BEFORE THE SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED). THE STARTER INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS DID NOT REQUIRE THAT THE SERVICE BULLETIN BE COMPLIED WITH BEFORE INSTALLATION OF THE STARTER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE STARTER ROLLER CLUTCH LACKED ADEQUATE LUBRICATION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.