# Accident 20110930024519A: Heronimus Kevin A GLASAIR III, Falls Of Rough, KY, September 30, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 30, 2011, 13:03 local time
- Place: Falls Of Rough, KY
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.0069° N, 85.9028° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0069&lon=-85.9028&mi=10
- Aircraft: N43KH, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43KH-2012-11-26) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Heronimus Kevin A GLASAIR III (registry code 056180A, https://openairdocs.org/model/heronimus-kevin-a-glasair-iii) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540 series (registry code 41530, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HERONIMUS KEVIN A GLASAIR III
- Reported engine: CHEVROLET LS1
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,100 total, 50 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA11FA512](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA512) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110930024519A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

GLASSAIR III EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT WAS MODIFIED ON 10/21/2010 TO REMOVE THE LYCOMING IO-540 ENGINE AND INSTALL A CHEVROLET CORVETTE LSI ENGINE WITH AN ALUMINUM REDRIVE CASE AND 1.667 GEAR REDUCTION / CLUTCH SYSTEM. FAA RECORDS INDICATE THAT A LETTER WAS ISSUED BY THE FAA AUTHORIZING THE AIRCRAT TO RE-ENTER PHASE 1 TESTING ON 10/26/2010 AND LATER RESCINDED ON 11/19/2010.  FAA RECORDS DO NOT INDICATE AUTHORIZATION WAS LATER OBTAINED FOR PHASE 1 TESTING, DUE TO THE ENGINE CHANGE, AS REQUIRED IN THE OPERATIONS LIMITATIONS FOR THE AIRCRFT. ON 09/30/2011, PILOT DEPARTED 2I3 FROM THE DOWNWIND RUNWAY WITH NO APPARENT RUN-UP CHECKS.  PILOT PERFORMED 2 LOW LEVEL, HIGH SPEED PASSES WITH AIRSHOW TYPE TURNS AT THE ENDS. WITNESSES INDICATE HEARING THE ENGINE BEGIN TO SURGE AT THE END OF THE FIRST PASS.  WITH HIGH ENGINE POWER, AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO THE BACK OF A HOTEL BUILDING AND EXPLODED. ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED LOOSE PROPELLER MAIN BEARING. VAST QUANTITIES OF ALUMINUM SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE REDRIVE HOUSING AND MAIN PROPELLER SHAFT WAS SHEARED.  COUNTERWEIGHTS ON THE CLUTCH / FLYWHEEL WERE ALL MISSING. NTSB LABORATORY IS WORKING TO DETERMINE FAILURE MODE OF MAIN BEARING, SHAFT AND COUNTERWEIGHT ASSEMBLY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA11FA512](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA512), Sep 30, 2011: Heronimus Kevin A Glasair III (N43KH), Falls of Rough, KY, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The failure of the propeller power speed reduction unit, which resulted in a loss of engine power at low altitude.

## Other reports on N43KH (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20080531842729I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080531842729I), May 31, 2008: Amtr GLASAIRIII (N43KH), Beaumont/Port, TX, Minor damage. (-23) Airplane just had new brakes installed, pilot was taxiing airplane to break in brakes (05/31/2008). Pilot was notified by tower that wheel were on fire.…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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