N6878DDehavilland VAMPIRE MK-3 · 1947

On June 6, 2009 at 1525 eastern daylight time, an experimental Dehavilland Vampire MK-3 airplane, N6878D, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of power after departing from Rochester International Airport (ROC), Rochester, New York. The pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that was destined for Genesee County Airport (GVQ), Batavia, New York. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, he departed from ROC, as part of a two-airplane formation enroute to GVQ. As the airplane climbed through 3,500 feet, the pilot heard a noise coming from the engine and initiated a return to ROC. The noise "got louder," and the pilot felt the airplane vibrate during the return. As the airplane was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 4, the pilot declared an emergency. While on final approach for runway 4, the engine lost total power. The pilot then 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, substantially damaging the fuselage.

The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for airplane multi-engine land. The pilot also held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and sea, as well as a certified flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single and multi-engine land and instrument airplane. The pilot's most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on March 18, 2008, and the pilot reported 9,000 total hours of flight experience on that date.

The Dehavilland Vampire MK-3 airplane was manufactured in 1947, and powered by a Dehavilland Goblin turbojet engine. The most recent inspection performed on the airplane was a conditional inspection completed on May 17, 2009. At that time, the airplane had accumulated 629 hours of total flight time. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 229 hours of total time since its last overhaul.

The weather reported at ROC, at 1454, included wind from 350 degrees at 8 knots, 10 miles visibility, few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, temperature 21 degrees C, and dew point 11 degrees C, and altimeter setting of 29.94 inches of mercury.

Examination of the airplane and accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the airplane struck a berm while landing, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The engine was further examined in a hangar under the supervision of the FAA inspector. The examination revealed the rear bearing in the "hot section" of the turbojet engine exhibited significant scoring and bearing metal fatigue and erosion. The bearing was completely fused and unable to be rotated. Main shaft damage from the bearing race and impact was evident with the compressed bearing race and surface distortion. Removal of the oil sump revealed the oil quantity was less than 2 tablespoons in the sump, and no oil was observed in the surrounding area of the engine compartment.