Incident Overview

Date: Monday 18 November 1996
Aircraft Type: Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Owner/operator: RAAF Museum
Registration Number: VH-SFF
Location: 3 km SE of Richmond RAAF Base, NSW – ÿ Australia
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Substantial, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Component Affected: Master Ignition SwitchMaster Ignition Switch
Investigating Agency: BASIBASI
Category: Accident
An aircraft experienced a sudden and simultaneous loss of power on the base leg of runway 28 during an Open Day at RAAF Richmond. Both engines stopped without warning, resulting in a forced landing into a cleared field short of the airfield. The aircraft was evacuated safely, and subsequent investigation failed to pinpoint the cause of the engine stoppage. The aircraft’s design incorporates a master ignition switch, which is guarded and can be turned off to terminate ignition to all engines simultaneously. While vibration tests revealed a small movement of the switch, the most probable cause was a crew member inadvertently bumping the switch prior to landing.An aircraft experienced a sudden and simultaneous loss of power on the base leg of runway 28 during an Open Day at RAAF Richmond. Both engines stopped without warning, resulting in a forced landing into a cleared field short of the airfield. The aircraft was evacuated safely, and subsequent investigation failed to pinpoint the cause of the engine stoppage. The aircraft’s design incorporates a master ignition switch, which is guarded and can be turned off to terminate ignition to all engines simultaneously. While vibration tests revealed a small movement of the switch, the most probable cause was a crew member inadvertently bumping the switch prior to landing.

Description

The aircraft was approaching to land after completing a handling display during an Open Day at RAAF Richmond. At an altitude of about 800ft, on the base leg for runway 28, both engines stopped simultaneously and without warning. As there was insufficient altitude to reach the field for a power off landing, the flaps and landing gear were retracted and a successful forced landing carried out into a cleared field short of the airfield. The crew evacuated the aircraft without injury. A subsequent investigation failed to positively determine the cause of the simultaneous stoppage of both engines. A large quantity of fuel remained in the tanks and no defects were found with either of the engine fuel systems. The engine ignition systems were tested and functioned normally after the accident. The design of this aircraft, as with other ex-military multi-reciprocating engine types, includes a master ignition switch. The switch is guarded, and when turned off results in the termination of ignition to all engines simultaneously. The switch was removed from the aircraft after the accident and subjected to extensive testing, including vibration tests, but could not be faulted. It was noted however that ignition isolation resulted with only a small movement of the switch from the ON position. The most likely reason for the sudden stoppage of both engines was movement of the master ignition switch from the ON position, possibly as the result of vibration or by a crew member inadvertently bumping the switch prior to landing.

Primary Cause

Inadequate altitude and a master ignition switch guarding the ignition to all engines simultaneously.Inadequate altitude and a master ignition switch guarding the ignition to all engines simultaneously.

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