Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C G-164B N425LS

Summary

On 25 July 2014 at about 13:23 local time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C G-164B registered N425LS, operated by Croom Aviation, was involved in an accident near Bonifay, Florida, 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

25 July 2014 at 13:23

Classification

Accident

Location

Bonifay, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Tri-County Airport (1J0)

Coordinates

30.8453, -85.5906

Aircraft

Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C G-164B

Registration

N425LS

Category

Airplane

Year built

1979

Engines

1

Operator

Croom Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Donalsonville → Bonifay

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA14LA368

Nobody was injured.

A partial blockage of the No. 2 bearing oil nozzle jet by bearing material, which resulted in oil starvation and the subsequent failure of the No. 2 bearing and total loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was conducting a cross-country positioning flight in the turboprop airplane. The pilot reported that, while on approach to the destination airport, the propeller began wind-milling, and "pieces of metal" began coming out of the right engine exhaust duct. The pilot subsequently conducted a forced landing, during which the airplane struck trees. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 bearing oil nozzle jet was partially blocked, which resulted in oil starvation and the subsequent disintegration of the No. 2 roller bearing. The material blocking the oil nozzle jet was consistent with material used in the composition of the bearing races and rollers. A review of maintenance records revealed that the No. 1 engine bearing had failed about 1,000 flight hours before the accident and was replaced along with the No. 2 bearing. In addition, the Nos. 1 through 5 bearings were replaced about 300 flight hours before the accident. The investigation could not determine if the No. 2 bearing oil nozzle jet was blocked by bearing material as a result of the previous bearing failure or if the blockage developed during the engine's subsequent operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.