M20M Down in VA

[carqwik]

Per the FAA Preliminary Accident report, a 2000 M20M forced landed in Front Royal, VA and caught fire (or was on fire?) on Saturday.  Thankfully, two survived...N486KC.  Any info on what happened??

[johnggreen]

Here is a link to a local paper.  Not much detail.  http://www.tv3winchester.com/home/headlines/NH_Woman_Critically_Hurt_in_VA_Plane_Crash_141442103.html

Jgreen

[Hank]

Here are a few more details:

http://www2.starexponent.com/news/2012/mar/04/nh-woman-critically-injured-rappahannock-plane-cra-ar-1739770/

Engine trouble?

[AndyFromCB]

Probably the same thing as usual, the turbo transition v-clamp. So far we lost 2% of the Bravo fleet to turbo transition related fires. Makes me feel real confident to take my bird up ;-)

[aviatoreb]

Quote: astelmaszek

Probably the same thing as usual, the turbo transition v-clamp. So far we lost 2% of the Bravo fleet to turbo transition related fires. Makes me feel real confident to take my bird up ;-)

[AndyFromCB]

Well,

So far 6 M20M have had a failure of the turbo transition V Band Clamp, part #LW-12093-5. Essentially, when this let's go, you end up with 1600 degree exhaust in engine compartment. Mine has about 200 hours on it, hasn't been taken off since. I've got 2 more sitting in the hangar, all magnafluxed to check to micro cracks. My take on this part is, at 200 bucks, if it needs to be taken for maintenance, a new one is going in. Most of failed because of repeated removal and reinstallation.

Piper Turbo Saratogas and Lycoming Turbo 206s suffer the same problems.

Andy

[KSMooniac]

Wow, that sounds like a good aftermarket opportunity.  Any idea what the failure mode is?  What is it made of?

[aviatoreb]

Quote: astelmaszek

Well,

So far 6 M20M have had a failure of the turbo transition V Band Clamp, part #LW-12093-5. Essentially, when this let's go, you end up with 1600 degree exhaust in engine compartment. Mine has about 200 hours on it, hasn't been taken off since. I've got 2 more sitting in the hangar, all magnafluxed to check to micro cracks. My take on this part is, at 200 bucks, if it needs to be taken for maintenance, a new one is going in. Most of failed because of repeated removal and reinstallation.

Piper Turbo Saratogas and Lycoming Turbo 206s suffer the same problems.

Andy

[flyboy0681]

Quote: aviatoreb

I presume this problem could happen to a wide variety of airplanes with turbo.  I.e. I do not have a M20M, but...

[M20F-1968]

Where physically is this part located.  Is it a part of the turbocharger?

John Breda

[drmarkflies]

The V-clamps are on the lower left side of the engine behind the lower cowling above the turbocharger. They are impossible to quickly preflight. With the top cowling off, you can reach down and grab them. To really inspect, you have to pull the lower cowling.

I pull the top cowling an yank on them ever ten hours or so. I drop the lower cowling every 50 hours. I also do owner assisted 100 hour or annual (which ever comes first) and we take a hard look at the V-clamps.

I totally agree once they are removed they should be replaced with new clamps. These V-clamps are like kryptonite to the Bravo.

I will try to get some pictures posted.

[aviatoreb]

Quote: drmarkflies

I will try to get some pictures posted.

[drmarkflies]

Has anybody looked at the FlightAware track for N486KC, the accident Bravo in the forced landing near Front Royal, VA?

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N486KC

The track indicates an earlier flight on Feb 23 originated in S. America. Does that make sense to anyone?

The accident flight track (FlightAware) looks about normal to me for landing at Hagerstown. The pilot left 9,000 for 5,000, leveled off then appeared to do a controlled descent.

The speed track is hard for me to intepret. Any insight you more experienced pilots?

This is a puzzling accident. I hope they are doing ok.

[aviatoreb]

Quote: drmarkflies

 

Has anybody looked at the FlightAware track for N486KC, the accident Bravo in the forced landing near Front Royal, VA?

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N486KC

The track indicates an earlier flight on Feb 23 originated in S. America. Does that make sense to anyone?

The accident flight track (FlightAware) looks about normal to me for landing at Hagerstown. The pilot left 9,000 for 5,000, leveled off then appeared to do a controlled descent.

The speed track is hard for me to intepret. Any insight you more experienced pilots?

This is a puzzling accident. I hope they are doing ok.

 

[AndyFromCB]

Let's not forget that NTSB also busted FAA/Mooney for crappy hose layout and firewall design after a first of these fires. There already is an AD covering this, requires an inspection, every 100 hours I believe?

[mooneym20d]

Quote: drmarkflies

 

Has anybody looked at the FlightAware track for N486KC, the accident Bravo in the forced landing near Front Royal, VA?

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N486KC

The track indicates an earlier flight on Feb 23 originated in S. America. Does that make sense to anyone?

The accident flight track (FlightAware) looks about normal to me for landing at Hagerstown. The pilot left 9,000 for 5,000, leveled off then appeared to do a controlled descent.

The speed track is hard for me to intepret. Any insight you more experienced pilots?

This is a puzzling accident. I hope they are doing ok.

 

[xftrplt]

Quote: mooneym20d

If you look at the speeds, you can see that the plane slowed to 100 kts at around 4000 ft, then it seems to pick up speed until it finally settles to 112 kts. Not sure if this is close to best glide in that model. Sounds like it may be. There was some obvious problem.

[drmarkflies]

Quote: aviatoreb

Please do.

How much is this problem only Bravo specific?

[aviatoreb]

Quote: drmarkflies

Please do.

How much is this problem only Bravo specific?

[drmarkflies]

Quote: aviatoreb

aviatoreb-

Here are some pics of the Bravo turbocharger V-clamp. Probably best not to put an old one back on after exhaust work and check it often.