Convair 340 (C-131D) ZS-BRV crash Pretoria, South Africa
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Plenty of Google Earth images here: https://avherald.com/h?article=4bafa778
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There is a 1950s Convair promotion film on YouTube which shows a single engine take-off with a 340 completely on the right engine, claiming this aircraft does not share the typical weakness of the piston twins of that aera.
Might be a San Diego sea level test flight, with a totally different performance requirement.
Might be a San Diego sea level test flight, with a totally different performance requirement.
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OK understood megan, but you also quoted only a part of my post and omitted the part which said that it was not a 440 for sure. The post which was deleted (presumably by the poster) stated it was a CV-240. It actually was but prior to conversion, probably when still on the production line. I said that I had even seen references to it as a CV-440 and added that it definitely wasn't (which you omitted when quoting me). OK? Sorted 
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To be honest, I doubt looking on this forum would be high on their list of things to do.
I believe the airplane was certified with a two-man (person) crew. As to single-engine performance just after lift-off, it was problematic. There was no requirement to meet a OEI takeoff flight path when these airplanes were certified. Could the failed engine prop be feathered? I don't have a clue.
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I worked for a company that operated 8 recip Convairs in the late 80s. We had all 3 models. While the aircraft may have been certified under CAR4, we operated under FAR 121 and all the normal performance data was available. While Zlinguy's operation didn't use it, we checked the autofeather every runup and used it whenever required by the performance graphs.
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That crash site (as shown from GordonR_Cape's post) is a long way outside a right-hand circuit for the westerly runway! Handling must have been very difficult. There has been mention of 21degC and 4,100 ft elevation. With limited performance (on an aeroplane from an era when performance was not the same as expected now), the combination of 21C and 4,100 ft would be very significant.
Doug ferried the Hars Convair out from South Africa last year.
000
000My thought was maybe the cowl flap motor was inoperative and the crew had perhaps mechanically wound the cowl flap to the full open position for a ferry flight due lack of spares at the point of departure. That would be inconceivable to me as the CHT on that engine would be very low with all that cooling airflow through the engine and effect on the cylinders. I wrote to HARS for their comment but received no acknowledgement
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Comments elsewhere corroborate what I already understood - Convair 340 ZS-BRV has done little flying in the last nine years (since 2009), with its very infrequent trips aloft comprising mainly moves from Lanseria to Wonderboom to Freeway and back to Wonderboom again for ongoing storage. I'm by no means suggesting the accident flight was the aircraft's first in recent days nor am I casting aspersions on the quality of the maintenance it had been subjected to ahead of the proposed ferry flight to the Netherlands, but the reality is that old piston engines such as the R2800 sometimes 'let go' unpredictably when they have been largely dormant and not run at demanding power settings on a regular basis for long periods. It may be of course that the powerplants were not a factor (albeit that video evidences points to engine problems) or they were changed ahead of its ferry to the Netherlands, in which case this post is meaningless.
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That crash site (as shown from GordonR_Cape's post) is a long way outside a right-hand circuit for the westerly runway! Handling must have been very difficult. There has been mention of 21degC and 4,100 ft elevation. With limited performance (on an aeroplane from an era when performance was not the same as expected now), the combination of 21C and 4,100 ft would be very significant.
The left engine did not fail instantaneously, as both propellers can be seen rotating in the takeoff video. What happened to the engine performance after that point should become clear during the inquiry.
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One of the pilots involved in the accident had an engine failure in VH-TAA (VC-131D, ex ZS-ARV of Rovos Rail) whilst flying in Australia about a year ago. He was aware of the limitations of the single engine performance of the aircraft.
The left engine did not fail instantaneously, as both propellers can be seen rotating in the takeoff video
There appears to be no banking to the live engine or any directional control issues as it crosses the fence.
what you do hear is an irregular ‘popping’ sound.
With a radial engine ( or any reciprocating engine) you can have a partial engine failure ( loose a jug) follows by more cylinders failing.
So it drops 1-2-3- Cylinders in a short period of time.
you also quoted only a part of my post and omitted the part which said that it was not a 440 for sure. The post which was deleted (presumably by the poster) stated it was a CV-240. It actually was but prior to conversion, probably when still on the production line. I said that I had even seen references to it as a CV-440 and added that it definitely wasn't
Re certification, TCDS,
Type Certificate No. 6A6 (Transport Category, CAR 4b, effective July 20, 1950, and Amendment #1, #3, and #5, except smoke detectors not installed in cargo compartments
Ferry permits may be issued to all Model 340 aircraft on which the automatic propeller feathering system is inoperative. Continuous operation with the automatic propeller feathering system inoperative can be accomplished on some Models in accordance with Appendix "C" of the FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual. Operating procedures, power ratings and performance data contained in Appendix "C" of the Approved Airplane Flight Manual applicable to the CB3/CB16 engines may be used for the CB4/CB17 engines.
My dad use to fly the CV 240's for Butlers/Airlines of NSW.
Before that the Airspeed Ambassador.
He always said the Convair would kill him whilst the Ambassador would get him home.
He breathed a sigh of relief when the Covairs were sent to Airlines of SA and Air NSW got the Fokkers
Before that the Airspeed Ambassador.
He always said the Convair would kill him whilst the Ambassador would get him home.
He breathed a sigh of relief when the Covairs were sent to Airlines of SA and Air NSW got the Fokkers
Drag from the cowl flaps must be significant, did see a report years ago when a crew found themselves in the same predicament as this, feathered prop and fully closed the cowl flaps on the operating engine in an endevour to gain performance for a quick circuit while placing their faith in Mr. P & W to withstand the abuse. They made it
On one occasion at an Australian outback airport with no servicing facilities, we discovered the left engine upper cowl flap failed in the full open position while we were taxiing in after landing.
After discussion with our flight engineer, he suggested he mechanically wind the cowl flap down to the trail or take off position and lock it in place. We then taxied out on one engine until lined up for take off. We then started that engine and when the engine oil temp was within the lower limit for take off we departed and CHT remained normal for the remainder of the three hour flight. After landing we closed down that engine to prevent increase in CHT and taxied in on one engine.
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I remember at least a decade back there was a C-131 for sale on ebay still in full US Navy regalia. It looked more or less complete, but was not airworthy. The seller made sure to mention that the aircraft had been inspected by Kelowna Flightcraft (who, as I understand it, own the type certificate) and found to be "restorable to Part 121 standard". However, naturally, the cost of such a restoration was not mentioned. I haven't seen the aircraft since, so I assume it's sitting derelict somewhere.
Sure is a shame about the crash, I believe that was the last airworthy C-131 in the world.
Sure is a shame about the crash, I believe that was the last airworthy C-131 in the world.