Investigation Summary
The accident flight was a cross-country ferry mission from Pittsburgh to Nevada via Oklahoma. Approximately 15 miles southwest of Indianapolis, the aircraft experienced a sudden engine seizure. The pilot, Major Bruce Teagarden, attempted to glide the aircraft to Indianapolis International Airport. Due to a low cloud ceiling and poor visibility, he was unable to align with the primary emergency runway (5L) and attempted a visual approach to Runway 32. During the turn, the aircraft lost excessive altitude, dropping to 2,000 feet. Realizing the aircraft would not reach the runway, Teagarden ejected at approximately 500 feet above ground level. The unpiloted Corsair II continued on a shallow descent, clipped the roof of a Bank One branch, bounced off an embankment, and slammed into the front lobby of the Ramada Inn. The impact and subsequent ignition of jet fuel caused a fire that reached the fourth floor of the hotel. Nine people died at the scene or shortly after, and a tenth victim succumbed to burn injuries ten days later.
Final Conclusions
The Air Force investigation, concluded in January 1988, determined the cause was the failure of a defective gear in the accessory gearbox. The gear sheared, causing the driveshaft to rupture the lubricating oil system, which led to the engine seizing. The investigation also noted that Air Force mechanics had identified excessive wear on similar driveshafts as early as 1984, leading to a safety directive that failed to prevent this specific failure. The pilot was cleared of wrongdoing, as the crash was attributed to the mechanical failure and the specific vectors provided by air traffic control during the emergency.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Accessory Gearbox
A defective gear in this system sheared, causing the driveshaft to rip open the oil system and seize the engine.
Douglas ESCAPAC Ejection Seat
The pilot successfully used the ejection system at 500 feet, landing four blocks away from the crash site.
Interesting Facts
- 01All 10 fatalities were people on the ground; the pilot survived with minor injuries.
- 02The aircraft was assigned to the 4450th Tactical Group, which was clandestinely developing the F-117 Nighthawk.
- 03The engine was an Allison TF41-A-1 gas turbine, which ironically was manufactured in Indianapolis.
- 04The crash site was eventually cleared and remains a parking lot today.
- 05A mass disaster plan rehearsed for the 1987 Pan American Games was credited with aiding the emergency response.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Driveshaft Spline Inspections
Following previous reports of excessive wear, the Air Force issued a safety directive to check driveshaft splines during compressor work on all in-service A-7 Corsair II aircraft.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Prior Knowledge of Mechanical Defect
Reference ↗The Air Force investigation revealed that mechanics had identified excessive wear on the driveshaft splines of A-7 Corsairs as early as November 1984. Although a safety directive was issued to inspect the splines during compressor work, the measure failed to prevent the catastrophic failure of aircraft 69-6207.