Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 20 January 1954
Aircraft Type: Convair CV-240-0
Owner/operator: American Airlines
Registration Number: N94244
Location: near Buffalo, NY –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 24
Component Affected: The left propeller.The left propeller.
Investigating Agency: CABCAB
Category: Accident
A small aircraft experienced a propeller malfunction immediately after takeoff, resulting in a belly landing due to turbulent weather conditions. The engine was unable to be restarted, and the left propeller was left feathered. The incident was likely caused by a mechanical failure of the boost pump and an incorrect procedure for unfeathering the propeller.A small aircraft experienced a propeller malfunction immediately after takeoff, resulting in a belly landing due to turbulent weather conditions. The engine was unable to be restarted, and the left propeller was left feathered. The incident was likely caused by a mechanical failure of the boost pump and an incorrect procedure for unfeathering the propeller.
Description
Immediately after becoming airborne the no. 1 propeller went into the feathered position. The crew were not able to restart the engine and unfeather the prop. A belly landing was carried out in a small clearing. Weather at the time of the accident included low ceiling, rain showers, turbulent air and gusts to 40 mph. PROBABLE CAUSE: “1) A mechanical failure of the torquemeter boost pump that automatically feathered the left propeller immediately after becoming airborne, and 2) the use of an uncorrect procedure for unfeathering which resulted from the ambiguity of the instruction for unfeathering contained in the company’s manual.”
Primary Cause
Mechanical failure of the torquemeter boost pump and incorrect procedure for unfeathering the propeller.Mechanical failure of the torquemeter boost pump and incorrect procedure for unfeathering the propeller.Share on:
