In-flight engine separation leads to emergency bailout

No fatalities • Sint-Truiden, Belgium • Flight

An aircraft experienced a mechanical failure involving a propeller blade, resulting in the loss of an engine and the subsequent abandonment of the aircraft by all occupants.

What happened

During the flight, a critical mechanical failure occurred when a single propeller blade broke away from the engine. This failure triggered intense vibrations throughout the airframe, which eventually caused the entire engine to detach from its mounting hardware.

As the aircraft became unstable following the loss of the engine, the crew and all passengers made the decision to exit the aircraft via parachute. All seven occupants successfully performed a bailout before the plane descended into a field. The impact with the ground resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft.

Findings

Following the incident, it was determined that the primary sequence of events began with the structural failure of a propeller blade. This initial breakage led to the subsequent detachment of the engine from its mounts due to extreme vibration.

Probable cause

The loss of a propeller blade caused severe vibrations that forced the engine to separate from the aircraft.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1954-06-20 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar accident near Sint-Truiden, Belgium?

An aircraft experienced a mechanical failure involving a propeller blade, resulting in the loss of an engine and the subsequent abandonment of the aircraft by all occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 1954-06-20 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1954-06-20 involved a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, registration 51-8273, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Sint-Truiden, Belgium.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The loss of a propeller blade caused severe vibrations that forced the engine to separate from the aircraft.

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