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On January 17, 1998, at 1500 central standard time, a
Christopher Coats, Challenger II Experimental airplane, N132BC,
collided with the ground during an emergency landing near
Evergreen, Alabama. The personal flight operated under the
provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed.
A
review of weather data recovered from the nearest reporting
facility, disclosed that visual weather conditions prevailed at
the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the airplane
received substantial structural damage. The private pilot was not
injured. The flight departed Brewton, Alabama, at 1430.
The pilot reported that, while cruising at 1200 feet, and about
thirty minutes into the flight, the "engine began to speed." When
the pilot reduced the throttle, he noticed that the propeller
assembly had separated from the engine.
The pilot selected an
emergency landing area on Interstate 65.near mile marker 92.2. As
the pilot maneuvered for an emergency landing on the heavily
traveled highway, the right wing collided with an overpass bridge.
The pilot stated that the collision occurred as he attempted to
fly under the bridge.
An examination of the airframe, at the accident site, confirmed
that the propeller assembly had separated from the engine
assembly. During the examination of the airframe, it was also
noted that the six propeller retention bolts were not present with
the engine. The propeller assembly and the six propeller retention
bolts were not recovered for metallurgical analysis.
According to the pilot, he assembled the airplane in accordance
with the kit instructions. The propeller assembly was installed on
the engine and secured with six 5/16 inch coarse threaded bolts
provided in the kit. He further stated that the propeller
retention bolts were tighten to ten foot pounds of torque. |
