Grumman TBM-3 N188TD

Summary

On 7 March 2009 at about 21:45 local time, a Grumman TBM-3 registered N188TD, operated by Claire Aviation, was involved in an accident near Millville, New Jersey, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 March 2009 at 21:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Millville, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Millville Municipal Airport (MIV)

Coordinates

39.3672, -75.0700

Aircraft

Grumman TBM-3

Registration

N188TD

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Claire Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Millville → Millville

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA191

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot/mechanic’s failure to properly torque the fuel pressure line B-nut to the carburetor fitting.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The owner of the airplane explained that the pilot/mechanic had just completed the installation of an overhauled carburetor, and that he and the pilot/mechanic had performed test runs of the engine and completed carburetor adjustments with no problems noted. The owner described multiple engine starts with and without auxiliary fuel pressure applied and during one engine run the hydraulic components of the airplane were "cycled" with no problems noted. After completion of the ground tests, the airplane appeared to develop full power during takeoff and climbout when "heavy smoke appeared all at once." The airplane landed and was completely engulfed in flames during rollout. Seconds after the airplane stopped, the engine fell from the burning airframe. Examination of the engine revealed that the fuel line associated with the fuel pressure transmitter was found disconnected from its mating fitting on the carburetor. The fitting on the carburetor and the mating nut on the end of the fuel line showed evidence of exposure to a fire environment on the surfaces, which would normally be protected if the two components were assembled. The fitting on the carburetor and the mating nut on the fuel line did not have damaged threads, which would be expected if the components were separated by force.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.