History of Flight
On June 6, 2009, at 1525 eastern daylight time, an experimental Dehavilland Vampire MK-3 airplane, N6878D, departed from Rochester International Airport (ROC), Rochester, New York, as part of a two-airplane formation destined for Genesee County Airport (GVQ), Batavia, New York. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 with visual meteorological conditions prevailing and no flight plan filed. While climbing through 3,500 feet, the pilot heard an engine noise and initiated a return to ROC. The noise intensified, accompanied by vibration. On the downwind leg for runway 4, the pilot declared an emergency. During final approach, the engine lost all power. The pilot retracted the landing gear and prepared for a forced landing to the grass adjacent to the runway. During the landing, the airplane struck a berm, causing substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot sustained serious injuries.
Personnel Information
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with a multi-engine land rating, a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land and sea ratings, and a certified flight instructor certificate with single- and multi-engine land and instrument airplane ratings. The most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on March 18, 2008. At that time, the pilot reported 9,000 total hours of flight experience.
Aircraft Information
The Dehavilland Vampire MK-3 airplane, manufactured in 1947, was powered by a Dehavilland Goblin turbojet engine. The most recent inspection, a conditional inspection, was completed on May 17, 2009, at which time the airframe had accumulated 629 total flight hours. The engine had accumulated 229 hours since its last overhaul.
Meteorological Information
Weather reported at ROC at 1454 included wind from 350 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, temperature 21°C, dew point 11°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.94 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane struck a berm during the landing, resulting in substantial fuselage damage. The engine was examined in a hangar under FAA supervision. The rear bearing in the turbojet's hot section showed significant scoring, bearing metal fatigue, and erosion. The bearing was completely fused and immovable. Main shaft damage from the bearing race and impact was evident, with a compressed bearing race and surface distortion. Removal of the oil sump revealed less than 2 tablespoons of oil, with no oil observed in the surrounding engine compartment.