Return-Path: Sender: (Marvin Kaye) To: lml Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 19:50:21 -0500 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from smtprelay8.dc2.adelphia.net ([64.8.50.40] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.0) with ESMTP id 1848857 for lml@lancaironline.net; Wed, 30 Oct 2002 18:31:35 -0500 Received: from library ([216.227.164.122]) by smtprelay8.dc2.adelphia.net (Netscape Messaging Server 4.15) with SMTP id H4TIOK02.SGE for ; Wed, 30 Oct 2002 18:31:32 -0500 X-Original-Message-ID: <002f01c2806c$7a2bf680$7aa4e3d8@library> From: "Doug Pohl" X-Original-To: "Lancair Mailing List" Subject: Report on Jim Rahm's Plane in Mexico X-Original-Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 18:31:29 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1106 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 October 30, 2002 The following is based upon discussions with Don Goetz and other individuals knowledgeable about the events of the accident. Jim Rahm's Lancair IV-P was sold to a Mexican pilot. The plane apparently had a number of problems at time of sale including a leaky hydraulic system, a persistent oil leak in the engine and an inoperative computer allowing flight only on the backup computer. Don Goetz created a list of maintenance issues to be addressed, including a notation that the nose gear strut was essentially non-functional and needed to be replaced. The nose gear strut was apparently provided to the new owner by Jim Rahm and installed by a local maintenance facility. The plane was apparently flown without resolving some of the other maintenance issues and while flying at 17,000 feet, a major oil line appears to have chafed on the cowling leading to complete loss of engine/gearbox oil. The engine then threw a rod and lost power. A successful landing was made, however during roll-out, the nose gear collapsed leading to substantial damage to the prop and undersurface of the plane. There were no injuries. The plane is currently undergoing repair. Probable cause: Failure of owner/pilot to follow acceptable maintenance procedures leading to a total loss of engine oil and engine power, necessitating an emergency landing. Improper installation of the nose gear strut led to collapse of the nose gear on landing, damaging the airframe and propeller.