Galbraith PIEL EMERAUDE N71PE
11 June 2002 · Hot Springs, South Dakota, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 11 June 2002 at about 15:40 local time, a Galbraith PIEL EMERAUDE registered N71PE was involved in an accident near Hot Springs, South Dakota, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 15:40
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Hot Springs, South Dakota, United States
- Nearest airport
- Hot Springs Municipal Airport (HSR)
- Coordinates
- 43.3681, -103.3881
- Aircraft
- Galbraith PIEL EMERAUDE
- Registration
- N71PE
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Hot Springs → Hot Springs
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI02LA159
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to the connecting rod fatigue failure during takeoff climb.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The amateur-built aircraft sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of power and subsequent loss of control on initial climb. An eyewitness observed the aircraft takeoff and climb to approximately 200 - 300 feet agl. He reported that the aircraft made a sharp right turn and went nose down for one and a half turns before impacting the field. Another witness to the accident observed a white streak behind the airplane after takeoff. The witness reported that the aircraft appeared to turn back to the airport before the engine noise decreased and the airplane went nose down toward the ground. The number three cylinder was removed during an engine teardown and the connecting rod was found broken at the crank journal. The number three cylinder connecting rod sections and rod cap, including the connecting rod bolts and nuts, were submitted to NTSB Materials laboratory for examination. The two connecting rod sections located at the base of the rod caps exhibited fractures that had thumbnail shapes and arrest marks indicative of fatigue propogation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 May 2002 | Cessna 172 | Redfield, South Dakota, United States | John O. Aiton | No injuries | - |
| 18 Jul 2002 | Cessna 172N | Spearfish, South Dakota, United States | Eagle Aviation Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 2002 | Aerostar S-77A | Custer, South Dakota, United States | Scott E, Nash | Serious injuries | - |
| 11 Nov 2002 | Champion 7ECA | Faulkton, South Dakota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Jun 2002 | Cessna 182Q | Vermillion, South Dakota, United States | Phillip Prossnitz | No injuries | - |
| 24 Dec 2002 | Cessna 172S | Tea, South Dakota, United States | - | No injuries | - |