Sadler VAMPIRE N333SV

Summary

On 3 September 2008 at about 16:57 local time, a Sadler VAMPIRE registered N333SV, operated by Sadler Aircraft, was involved in an accident near Findlay, Ohio, 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

3 September 2008 at 16:57

Classification

Accident

Location

Findlay, Ohio, United States

Nearest airport

Findlay Airport (FDY)

Coordinates

41.0275, -83.6642

Aircraft

Sadler VAMPIRE

Registration

N333SV

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Sadler Aircraft

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Findley → Findley

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI08LA274

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the reduction drive assembly as a result of excessive wear and high temperatures. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of total experience in the airplane and the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was an experimental amateur-built airplane that was a prototype for light sport aircraft certification. The flight test was conducted by the engine manufacturer, who also provided a pilot to fly the airplane. The pilot had not received flight instruction or a checkout in the airplane. The pilot learned to fly the airplane on his own by taxiing and performing local flights in the airport area. The pilot also had no training or experience in aircraft flight test. A larger radiator had been installed onto the airplane due to noted high engine temperature during previous flights. Prior to the accident flight, the pilot performed two taxi tests during which he performed short hops on the runway to get familiar with the aerodynamic forces that would be encountered during takeoff and landing. The engine temperature was reported as normal during this time. The pilot then attempted a takeoff for a flight that was to remain in the airport traffic pattern. Just after takeoff the airplane lost total engine power. The pilot attempted an engine restart without success, during which he did not hear the engine turn over. The pilot then executed a forced landing into a quarry located about 0.6 miles from the departure end of the runway. An examination of the reduction drive assembly needle roller bearing sidewall revealed a combination of wear and high temperatures leading to overstress. Circumferential wear marks on the separated cage sidewall and the presence of metallic debris suggested impingement of the rollers on the sidewall during engine operation. Heat tinting of the outer raceway in the vicinity of the failed sidewall and the cam that served as the inner raceway was also noted. The needle bearing malfunction could be attributed to misalignment of the needle bearing and insufficient lubrication.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.