Amateur-built ESCAPADE N86RD accident near Brasstown, North Carolina

Probable cause

The failure of the engine gearbox drive flange, which resulted in a nose gear collapse during the subsequent precautionary landing in tall grass.

NTSB analysis

Shortly after takeoff while on a local flight, the pilot, who was also the owner of the airplane, heard and felt an unusual vibration emanating from the engine. The pilot elected to return to the private airfield as the experimental automobile engine was still running. He declared an emergency as the engine was losing coolant, and the coolant and oil temperature steadily rose to very high levels. Fearing a complete engine failure, he elected to fly straight in and land on an un-mowed portion of the airport. As the airplane touched down the nose gear collapsed, causing the airplane to impact the terrain and come to a sudden stop that resulted in substantial damage to the airframe.

The pilot, who was also an aircraft mechanic, examined the engine and discovered that the engine gearbox drive flange, also known as a “spider,” had failed. The three-eared flange had fractured outside of the splined driveshaft hole. The resulting failure threw parts into the radiator, puncturing it. The punctured radiator lost coolant, causing a subsequent engine over-temperature that likely would have led to a complete loss of engine power. Fearing an imminent loss of engine power, the pilot made a precautionary landing on an unimproved part of the airport.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA268 for the full record.