Grumman Cougar 'Rebuild Rescue' Crash 1 Feb 2024

Theme: "Weightless" Aram Bedrosian

[billm]

When the story broke, local news (6-ABC) interviewed some yokel who hadn't seen the crash, but was called over to the wreckage by someone else. I guess he was their "expert." He stated that the pilot "avoided the house." That then became the mantra of every story about this unfortunate accident, stating that avoiding the house was Sam's "last act of heroism." Sorry to burst the bubble of those who admired this beloved pilot, but he was just along for the ride in that spin and wasn't able to avoid anything. Can't we just appreciate this guy for what he apparently was - a decent human being - without injecting the crazy ideas of some no-name bystander into the story? Not good journalism.

[RoBert-ixev]

True Blancolirio style: not a single unnecessary word, theory, assumption, but facts, and lesson we can learn. Thank you sir!

[boeingavtr]

Juan, first of all, thank you for your measured analysis. Too many people get 'emotional.' I do understand your frustration. Flying a PA-30 (though upgraded to 200 hp / side), I try to stay mindful that it's a light twin, not the Airbus. My mantra, on every take off, is if it's not climbing, or I can't hold Vyse, I'm pulling both throttles back and taking the best level landing I can accomplish.

I met Sam at OSH, year before last. He was well spoken, enthusiastic, and from our quick conversation, not taken to take risks. My hope is that this will serve as a wake up call to all of us. Know your plane, run your numbers, and expect the unexpected.

[bwalker]

One of my more seasoned flight instructors used to say that these underpowered twins were actually just single engined planes with the power very expensively split half on each side. If one half fails and you don't do EVERYTHING exactly right, the other half just takes you to the scene of the crash. Truer

[redfoxtactical]

I think a lot of people are going really hard on Rebuild without due reason to yet. I've seen the cougar vids, everything was done up to FAA standards with A&Ps involved.

We've seen countless other planes that have been professionally worked on crash right after. And this was an older plane, it's entirely possible this engine issue was something completely unrelated to their repairs.

RIP Sam and all I hope is the truth comes out, whatever that truth is.

[AlaskaRog]

Juan, I’m a recently retired pilot with a background very similar to yours…first plane was a T-craft, then Part 135, A&P school, and many years of airline and large aircraft corporate experience. Your explanation on the single engine performance of this Grumman light twin took me back to getting my Multiengine Instructor rating. It was a simple, detailed, and accurate description of the limitations of a relatively low-powered light twin flying with one engine inoperative. Good job! I enjoy your videos and hope to have a chance to meet in person. Cheers, Rog

[djwarner]

As a former Grumman Tiger owner about Sam's age and former USAF avionics technician, I watched the series with interest on many levels. First, Sam owned and regularly flew his own Cougar. This could be a case of familiarity breeding contempt - a dangerous condition in aviation. Gee, it never did that to me before! When was the last time we practiced a forced landing outside of a bi-annual review. When was the last time we briefed engine out procedures when we are the only occupant? The Cougar's limited safety margins as shown, demands additional practice.

With the short time after the power loss, it is very possible that Sam hadn't enough time to verify which engine had failed (neither engine was caged). One report I saw indicated he may have turned into the dead engine.

BTW thanks for the very clear, thoughtful analysis presented. Since the flight was a delivery after purchase, I suspect fuel contamination as well. Will follow this one closely.

[dogrokket]

Tragic loss, to say the least! I’m an airline pilot with a background in GA and I have been a big fan of rebuild rescue from the start of the 401 project. Jason has had A&P supervision and oversight all along the way and I have never felt that he has cut corners any more than most flight schools and FBOs do on a routine basis. In fact, he has been a stickler for going the extra mile.

The rush to demonize this group is predictable, but unfortunate. Their mission, as they proclaim, is to save GA from the graveyard of prohibitive costs. God bless 'em and I hope that this loss doesn’t crush their spirit.

[charleslord]

I was one of the 10 million who got hooked on the 401 Series in the beginning, but after a few episodes it felt more like 'reality TV' than really documenting the safe rebuild of an aircraft. I stopped watching and was not surprised when this one went down. Thanks Juan for your meticulous coverage of these incidents.

[engineernels]

I watch rebuild rescue every week and I love the videos. I appreciate that from what it seems Jason takes repairing them and doing it properly very seriously. I dont think Juan made any disparaging comments toward him. He even pointed out he did the right thing with reference to the gear but also pointed out that the best thing would have been to overhaul the engines. As much as i want to come to Jasons defense, I dont think this is a fight here. As pilots and mechanics we should just be trying to make aviation safer and that means taking a good hard look when these things happen and make changes so they dont happen again. I dont think Juan is playing a blame game he is just trying to get to the root cause and debrief the hazreps as they happen regardless of who or what is at fault. A very painful lesson for everyone involved. Truly devistating. Thank you Juan for you videos.

[idsawtooth]

"...without incriminating yourself..." How true! Some of the aviation videos on youtube are mind boggling...

[obsoleteprofessor]

I A&P'd until I couldn't trust my eyesight anymore and then I left the industry. I started flipping cars, some I kept for myself. My airplane experience trained my eye and I must say that every time I worked on a car, the deeper I dug, the more I'd find. I've watched some of these resurrection videos. If they don't look at EVERYTHING, something as simple as a leaf roller bug in a line has the potential to bring an airplane down. Cursory inspections and worrying about money won't cut it.

[Halli]

It is always sad for us old-timers to check out this kind of accidents. It's been 9 years since I retired from proper airline flying and while I'm still flying privately (a Helio H-295 Super Courier) I am acutely aware of my sneakily diminishing faculties.
I am rather confident in my ability to fly UNDER CONTROL to the scene of the crash if I happen to lose an engine at an embarrassing moment. No stall/spin epitaph for me, thank you very much!

[EmesiS]

When I received my A&P license my instructor said, "Now you have your license to learn." He also said to all the auto mechanics that were taking the course, "You don't make mistakes, because if something fails you cant just pull over to the side of the road."

[jesperhouken]

Juan, thank you for your insight. I got my Multi Engine rating in the Cougar. You are absolutely correct it’s underpowered and should be thought of as a two seater with light baggage.
When I did my checkride the DPE “failed” an engine and I remember gear flaps up because even at 100 ft MSL (Houston) it would not climb with anything hanging out. If you don’t put in the 5 degree bank no climb. No matter what we could not get the Cougar to climb over 3000ft on single engine. My MEI said engine failure just expect to do a controlled decent onto landing.

[paulsteklenski]

You are spot on, and it’s not just YouTube; social media in general is seemingly making more accidents occur in GA

[David-pzn]

I worked in a part 145 engine shop, plus closely watched magnaflux operations.
Prop flange of prop strike engines often had great runout, but cracks were most often seen on curved radius just behind prop flange as it transitions to crankshaft.
Crankshafts, especially VAR (Vacuum Arc Remelt) & nitrided, become brittle and act like a good quality drill bit; they’ll crack before bending.
Please don’t do just a runout inspection after prop strike, the engine should be torn down and magnaflux of internal steel inspected (note: “overhaul” isn’t a requirement, it can be written up as an “inspection & repair” if parts are replaced saving a lot by not overhauling cylinders which is required for “overhaul” entry in logbook.
A&P/IA

[planepower]

Another great show!
I remember seeing the video of the 401 pop up on my feed. I was aghast (as a mechanic) on how little he knew of that aircraft and engines. Then Jason announced that his channel would "save" the 401. I recalled that i did the full SID program to a full airworthy 414 and it ended up costing the customer $300K. It was completely fine before the SIDs came out. The project took a crew of 6 nearly 2 years to complete the group of inspections. We found that the engine beams/ Spars were corroded exactly where the SID described - so lots of repairs we did. That was 1997-1999 - $300, 000!!!
The owner sold that aircraft for a loss and swore off the Cessna twin. I couldn't believe Jason would undertake that amount of effort (but i guess spares are easier to find now).

Sadly litigation will end the series.

[ShawnGray]

Juan - it's great watching these vids. There's a lot of good points with VMC etc that's just not thought about much, and watching these triggers the mind. Thank you!!!

[DougBow]

YouTubery - great term Juan. Thanks for your time & efforts to educate.