Accident Brief, Occurrence # 96/1794
| Registration: | ZK-MOS | Nature of Flight: | private other |
| Aircraft Model: | Quad City Challenger II | Pilot Licence: | nil |
| Date and Time: | 09 Jul 96 at 11:36 | Pilot Age: | yrs |
| Location: | Abel Tasman Nat Pk | Flying Hours (Total): | 420 |
| POB: | 2 | Flying Hours (on Type): | 150 |
| Injuries (Fatal): | nil | Last 90 Days: | 10 |
| Injuries (Serious): | 2 | TAIC Ref.: | |
| Injuries (Minor): | nil | Publishing Ref.: | OB, 1997, Issue 1 |
| Damage: | substantial | Date Published: | 13 Feb 97 |
Synopsis:
The microlight aircraft was attempting to take off when a portion of the propeller detached. The aircraft became airborne and started to vibrate badly. The pilot attempted to turn back to the airfield. The aircraft crashed into rough gorse at the end of the runway. Investigation revealed that the fuel tank cap had come loose on take off and parted from its restraining chain. It passed through the propeller disc, removing a small piece of the propeller. This set up a power-plant vibration, which caused the engine air filter to work loose, and it passed through the propeller, removing a larger piece. The resulting severe vibration caused the aircraft to become uncontrollable at a height of about 80 feet.