December 17 2006
Interesting report released during the week from the USA's NTSB
involving a 4-seat single-engine retractable Bellanca Super Viking aircraft accident that surprised the FAA investigator on the case
The 71 year-old pilot was carrying out a local flight when an engine malfunction occurred - the machine damaged some property near
the airport in the ensuring forced landing and on investigation the FAA inspector found the pilot did not hold a current medical certificate
OR licence - both had lapsed more than a decade ago and the aircraft was also found to be unregistered
To make matters even more interesting the wooden-spar fabric-covered Viking had not seen a "certified" workshop in more than 20 years -
all maintenance required during the period was carried out by the owner/pilot who did not hold any sort of maintenance ticket
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Light aircraft maintenance is expensive - there is no such thing as "cheap maintenance" - only "good" or "poor" maintenance depending
on individual views and interpretation of the word "maintenance" by aircraft owners and LAME's
It's interesting to note that in this particular instance damage to third-party property would not be covered by insurance - assuming
the machine was insured in the first place - the pilot-owner was in contravention with the air navigation regulations by flying without
a current licence and/or medical certificate AND flying an unregistered aircraft
The owner was also using unapproved automotive fuel in his Continental IO-520 powered machine
The reason for the engine failure?
Click HERE for Answer
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