North American T-28C N28BZ

Summary

On 20 June 2004 at about 14:50 local time, a North American T-28C registered N28BZ was involved in an accident near Deland, Florida, 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

20 June 2004 at 14:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Deland, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

New Smyrna Beach (EVB)

Coordinates

29.0669, -81.2839

Aircraft

North American T-28C

Registration

N28BZ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

New Smyrna Beac → Columbus

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA04LA099

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to an engine master rod bearing failure for undetermined reasons, resulting in damage to the airplane during the subsequent forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that during a slow climb after takeoff, a lighted chip light in the airplane's cockpit illuminated. Shortly thereafter, he said he felt the first engine shudder/backfire, and he then made a "Mayday" call, and proceeded to the nearest airport to land. Along the way, the pilot said he increased power in an attempt to ensure he would reach the airport, and initially felt the airplane accelerate, but about 30 seconds later, in addition to the illuminated chip light and vibration associated with the engine, suddenly there was a severe rumble again, followed by the engine operating distinctively rough. He noted little puffs of black smoke, coming out of the stacks around the fuselage, and since there was a heavy forested area ahead, he said he turned the airplane toward a field, to affect a landing. The approach and landing flare/touchdown were uneventful, but during the landing rollout the airplane impacted a ditch, and incurred substantial damage. According to the FAA inspector who responded to the accident, an engine master rod bearing failed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.