20020321004509A

(.19) On March 22, 2002, approximately 1230 mountain standard time, a republic P-47N-20-RE airplane, N47TB, was substantially damaged when it impacted the runway during an emergency landing just after takeoff from the Albuquerque International Airport, Albuquerque, new Mexico. The airplane was registered to and operated by the American airpower heritage flying museum inc., of midland, Texas, doing business as the confederate air force. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 code of federal regulations part 91 maintenance test flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to preliminary information, the flight was the first since the engine had been overhauled. The pilot initiated takeoff from runway 05, the airplane became airborne, and the pilot then initiated an emergency landing back to the runway. The airplane impacted the runway and slid 1,000 approximately feet before coming to rest upright. Subsequently, a fire erupted and damaged the airplane. Witnesses reported that they heard the engine running roughly. (-23) the number 10 cylinder, exhaust duct section from the stack to the collector became dislodged from an unknown cause. Exhaust gases, residue and flame were then directed onto a variety of engine accessories including the lower inlet cowl and subsequently the left hand oil cooler assembly as the cowl assembly deteriorated. Rubberized lines at the cooler were burned through which indicated the initiation of an oil fed fire. It was evident that the preliminary combustion of lubricating oil resulted in the burning through of the main fuel supply which then became and intense fuel fed fire. The fuel line failure appears to have transpired during the take-off roll and initial climb out. The pilot became situationally aware of these conditions at that time and aborted the climb, landing on the remaining portion of the departure runway. (.4) according to the pilot, who was an FAA certified airframe and power plant mechanic, on the morning the accident, he completed re-installing the engine following its overhaul by another company. He made several engine run and leak checks, and all parameters were within limits and no leaks were n oted. He then boarded the airplane for a 15 minute maintenance test flight. The flight taxied to the runway, and the pilot performed a pre-takeoff engine run-up, noted no anomalies and departed. During the initial takeoff climb, just as the pilot reached for the landing gear lever, the cockpit filled with black smoke, and the engine began to lose power. The tower controller then reported to the pilot that the airplane was on fire. The pilot executed a forced landing back to the runway, which had some length remaining. The airplane impacted the ground, and an intense fire erupted (the pilot observed a flash fire through the cockpit). The airplane slid 1,000 feet and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane revealed that the exhaust interconnect tube to the exhaust collector for the #10 cylinder was protruding through the inlet duct of the lower cheek cowl, and was disconnected from the cylinder. The area around the opening exhibited severe heat distress, consistent with a fire. Oil supply lines and the main fuel supply line were melted through and compromised. The oil and fuel line hoses were made of rubber and were not outfitted with fire shields. No other pertinent anomalies were discovered with the #10 cylinder or the remainder of the engine.