ASN Aircraft accident Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I N861H Le Center, MN

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Accident description

Last updated: 20 May 2013

Status:	Final
Date:	11 JUL 1967
Time:	11:04 CDT
Type:	Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I
Operator:	Honeywell Inc.
Registration:	N861H
C/n / msn:	147
First flight:	1964
Total airframe hrs:	1937
Engines:	2 Rolls Royce 529-8X
Crew:	Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:	Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Airplane damage:	Written off
Airplane fate:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	8 km (5 mls) SE of Le Center, MN (United States of America)
Phase:	En route (ENR)
Nature:	Training
Departure airport:	Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN (MSP/KMSP), United States of America
Destination airport:	Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN (MSP/KMSP), United States of America

Narrative:
The Gulfstream departed Minneapolis at 10:34 CDT for a company pilot training flight in clear weather. An engine fire forced the crew to request emergency radar vectors for Le Center. The no. 2 engine was seen emitting smoke and flames, followed by an explosion in the engine. The aircraft lost control and crashed in flames into a bean field, striking the ground right wing down and disintegrating along a northwest ground path, 1,220 feet long and 264 feet wide.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "Overtemperaturing of both engines, in-flight fire and explosion caused by the 'Z' relay in the propeller automatic cruise pitch retraction system."

Sources:

Official accident investigation report

investigating agency:	National Transport Safety Bureau (NTSB) - USA
report status:	Final
report number:	NTSB/AAR-68-AA
report released:	17-JUL-1968
duration of investigation:	372 days (1 year )
download report:	Honeywell, Inc., Grumman G-159, N861H, near Le Center, Minnesota, July 11, 1967 (NTSB/AAR-68-AA)

Follow-up / safety actions

NTSB issued 2 Safety Recommendations

Show all AD's and Safety Recommendations

Photos

Map

This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN as the crow flies is 0 km (0 miles).

languages:

Issued: 19-OCT-1967	To:	A-67-031
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO THE INSTALLATION OF A RED WARNING LIGHT WITH ADJOINING PLACARD IN GRUMMAN GULFSTREAM AIRCRAFT. THE PLACARD WOULD WARN THAT, WITH THE FLIGHT SAFETY SWITCH IN THE "EMERGENCY" POSITION, THE CRUISE PITCH LOCKS MUST BE MANUALLY REMOVED WHEN AIRSPEED IS REDUCED BELOW CRUISE. IT IS CONSIDERED DESIRABLE THAT THE LIGHT ACTIVATE TO A FLASHING STATE WHEN THE SWITCH IS PLACED IN "EMERGENCY," AND DEACTIVATE WHEN ACTION IS TAKEN TO MANUALLY WITHDRAW THE LOCKS. (Closed - Acceptable Action)
Issued: 04-MAR-1968	To:	A-68-002
IT IS RECOMMENDED, THEREFORE, THAT A NEW INSTRUCTION BE INCORPORATED INTO THE G-159 AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL WHICH WOULD PROSCRIBE THE "CRUISE LOCK OUT" POSITION FOR THE H.P. FUEL COCKS WHILE ENGAGED IN LOW AIRSPEED FLIGHT MANEUVERS. INVOLVING REPEATED POWER APPLICATIONS. "IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE FUEL LEVERS BE PLACED IN CRUISE LOCK OUT FOR THIS MANEUVER TO AVOID A POSSIBLE HANG UP OF THE LOCKS WITH AN OVERHEAT IN TGT." (Closed - Acceptable Action)