# NTSB LAX95LA151: Andris KR2, N22955, Turlock, CA, April 3, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 3, 1995, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Turlock, CA - Coordinates: 37.469017, -120.849143 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4690&lon=-120.8491&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29066 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29066/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA151 ## Probable cause the failure of the propeller attach bolt retaining cotter pin, and the pilot/builder's inadequate preflight inspection of the aircraft prior to the attempted flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - propeller system/accessories,safety clip - sheared (cause) - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - disengaged (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, owner/builder (cause) - propeller system/accessories,hub - separation - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR SIGNED OFF BY THE FAA, NOR HAD AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE BEEN ISSUED. THE PILOT'S FLIGHT RECORDS REVEALED THAT HIS LAST LOGGED FLIGHT WAS IN 1985, AND HIS LAST BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW WAS IN 1984. THE PILOT TOLD FAA INSPECTORS THAT AT FIRST HE WAS JUST GOING TO DO ANOTHER HIGH SPEED TAXI TEST, 'BUT THE DAY WAS SO NICE' THAT HE DECIDED TO FLY. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED RUNWAY 30 AND WAS ON CROSSWIND WHEN THE PROPELLER SEPARATED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT. THE PILOT TURNED BACK TOWARDS THE RUNWAY, BUT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO MAKE THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH HIGH-TENSION POWER LINES. THE FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE PROPELLER IS ATTACHED TO A FLANGE, WHICH IN TURN IS SECURED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN ENGINE CRANKSHAFT BY MEANS OF A BOLT AND COTTER PIN. THE PIN WAS FOUND SHEARED AND THE BOLT BACKED OUT. EVIDENCE OF FULL THREAD ENGAGEMENT AT SOME TIME WAS NOTED ON THE BOLT. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT 5.7 HOURS OF GROUND RUN AND TAXI TESTS HAD BEEN COMPLETED BY THE PILOT PRIOR TO THIS FIRST FLIGHT. ## Factual narrative On April 3, 1995, at 1420 hours Pacific daylight time, a noncertificated experimental homebuilt Andris KR2 airplane, N22955, collided with power lines while attempting to return to the Turlock, California, airport following a loss of the propeller during the takeoff initial climb. The airplane was being operated by the pilot/owner on its first test flight following construction completion. The airplane was destroyed in the collision sequence. The certificated private pilot incurred minor injuries. The local area test flight was originating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot's verbal and written statements, at first he was just going to do another high speed taxi test, "but the day was so nice" that he decided to fly. The aircraft departed runway 30 and was on crosswind when the propeller separated from the crankshaft. The pilot turned back towards the runway, but had insufficient altitude to make the runway and collided with high-tension power lines. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Fresno, California, Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft. He reported that the aircraft had not been inspected or signed off by the FAA, nor had an experimental airworthiness certificate been issued. The inspector observed that the propeller is attached to a flange, which in turn is secured to the Volkswagen engine crankshaft by means of a bolt and cotter pin. The pin was found sheared and the bolt backed out. Evidence of full thread engagement at some time was noted on the bolt. The inspector stated that 5.7 hours of ground run and taxi tests had been completed by the pilot prior to this first flight. Review of the pilot's flight records by the FAA revealed that his last logged flight was in 1985, and his last biennial flight review was in 1984. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22955](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22955-1997-01-21), registration cancelled 1997-01-21, S/N 2206 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ANDRIS KR2 - Registry model: [Andris Armand E KR-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/andris-armand-e-kr-2) (registry code 05625DK) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2206 - Airframe hours: 6 - Engines: HAPI 60C 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Armand E. Andris - Departed: O15 - Airport: O15, Turlock Municipal, runway 30, 2,985 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 197 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950403006619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950403006619A), Apr 3, 1995: Amtr KR2, Turlock, CA, Destroyed. Lost propeller on climbout. Struck wires landing. Homebuilt not signed off by FAA. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.