Hunting Percival P56 Provost T1, G-AWVF, 8 July 2009

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 10 December 2014

• Category: General aviation - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Field investigation
• Date of occurrence: 8 July 2009
• Aircraft type: Hunting Percival P56 Provost T1
• Location: 1.3 nm east of Bishop Norton, Lincolnshire
• Registration: G-AWVF

Hunting Percival P56 Provost T1, G-AWVF

Summary:

While cruising at 2,500 ft the aircraft suffered a mechanical engine failure which led to an in-flight fire. The pilot was probably rendered unconscious by the smoke and fumes from the fire; the aircraft crashed into a field and the pilot was fatally injured. The engine failure was initiated by a fatigue crack of the No 6 piston gudgeon pin. The cause of the fatigue crack initiation could not be determined but it is likely that a high-load event, such as a partial or full hydraulic lock, initiated the crack in the pin. The presence of corrosion pits on the inner surface of the pin was probably a contributory factor and the aircraft’s low utilisation rate during the previous 45 years probably contributed to the formation of corrosion. In addition to the initial CAA safety actions, three AAIB Safety Recommendations are made.

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Hunting Percival P56 Provost T1, G-AWVF 10-10.pdf (1,534.17 kb)

Published 10 December 2014