Chevrier Armand J-3K N43432

Summary

On 7 July 2006 at about 14:45 local time, a Chevrier Armand J-3K registered N43432 was involved in an accident near Charlotte, Vermont, 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

7 July 2006 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Charlotte, Vermont, United States

Nearest airport

Private (NONE)

Coordinates

44.2689, -73.2506

Aircraft

Chevrier Armand J-3K

Registration

N43432

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Charlotte → Charlotte

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC06LA129

Nobody was injured.

A complete loss of engine power on takeoff for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot of an amateur built J-3K airplane, the engine was producing maximum power during takeoff, when only a few seconds later, the engine stopped without warning. The pilot performed an emergency landing during which the airplane impacted a tree and was substantially damaged. According to maintenance records the engine had experienced an engine seizure approximately 47 hours prior to the accident and the engine had received a "top end overhaul," during which one piston, its piston rings, and piston needles had been replaced. On the day of the accident, the pilot performed "minor" engine and fuel system maintenance, and a fuel primer bulb was installed. During a postaccident examination of the engine and airplane, no preimpact malfunctions were discovered. The engine was manufactured in 1994. At the time of the accident the engine had accumulated 272 total hours of operation. According to the Rotax Aircraft Engines Maintenance Manual, a complete general overhaul was to be carried out every 5 years or every 300 hours which ever comes first. No record of the engine ever having received a complete general overhaul was discovered during the investigation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.