Rand Robinson Engineering KR-2 N1701L

Summary

On 17 May 2005 at about 14:13 local time, a Rand Robinson Engineering KR-2 registered N1701L, operated by Robert E. Lester, was involved in an accident near Vienna, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 May 2005 at 14:13

Classification

Accident

Location

Vienna, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

32.0833, -83.6833

Aircraft

Rand Robinson Engineering KR-2

Registration

N1701L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Robert E. Lester

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Marietta → Valdosta

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL05CA083

1 person had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power due to the owner/pilot mechanic's improper balancing of the modification to engine crankshaft which resulted in an overload failure.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While flying at 3,500 feet the pilot noticed that the engine was losing power and vibrating. The pilot stated that he shut the engine off and decided to make an emergency landing. The pilot first attempted to make it to a crop duster airstrip, but could not, and decided to attempt a landing on the highway. The airplane landed on a westerly heading, veered off the highway, hit an embankment and rotated 180-degrees to the left and came to rest on an easterly heading. Examination of the engine revealed the crankshaft was broken just behind the front main bearing before the crankshaft exits the engine and attaches to the propeller. The post-accident examination revealed that the crankshaft had an extension between it and the propeller in order for it to clear the cowling. Maintenance records showed that on May 3, 2005, the propeller extension was found to be out of true and the shaft, propeller and spinner combination were balanced. At the accident site, it was observed that washers were affixed to the back of the propeller spinner and the propeller spinner contained voids in the fiberglass. It was also noted that the crankshaft broke approximately 8.2 hours after the shaft, propeller and spinner combination were balanced.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.