NONE · Cumberland SKYBOLT · 1997-04-08 · SMITHFIELD, NC, USA
Event
NTSB number
MIA97LA123
Event ID
20001208X07779
Type
Accident
Date
1997-04-08
Location
SMITHFIELD, NC, USA
Coordinates
35.499839, -78.340515
Injuries
Highest injury
NONE
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
2
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
Cumberland
Model
SKYBOLT
Registration
N4TZ
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
Installation by a student mechanic of a counterweight retaining washer that did not meet engine manufacturers specifications resulting in partial separation of the counterweight, failure of the No.5 connecting rod adjacent to the counterweight, and seizure of the engine. Contributing to the accident was improper supervision of the student mechanic by aviation school personnel.