Grumman TBM-3 accident near Millville, New Jersey, March 7, 2009
On March 7, 2009 at about 9:45 pm local time, a Grumman TBM-3, registered N188TD, was destroyed in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Millville, New Jersey (Millville Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot/mechanic’s failure to properly torque the fuel pressure line B-nut to the carburetor fitting.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 7, 2009 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Millville, New Jersey · Millville Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman TBM-3 · all TBM-3s on the register
- Registration
- N188TD · no longer on the register · serial 53522
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The owner of the airplane explained that the pilot/mechanic had just completed the installation of an overhauled carburetor, and that he and the pilot/mechanic had performed test runs of the engine and completed carburetor adjustments with no problems noted. The owner described multiple engine starts with and without auxiliary fuel pressure applied and during one engine run the hydraulic components of the airplane were "cycled" with no problems noted. After completion of the ground tests, the airplane appeared to develop full power during takeoff and climbout when "heavy smoke appeared all at once." The airplane landed and was completely engulfed in flames during rollout. Seconds after the airplane stopped, the engine fell from the burning airframe. Examination of the engine revealed that the fuel line associated with the fuel pressure transmitter was found disconnected from its mating fitting on the carburetor. The fitting on the carburetor and the mating nut on the end of the fuel line showed evidence of exposure to a fire environment on the surfaces, which would normally be protected if the two components were assembled. The fitting on the carburetor and the mating nut on the fuel line did not have damaged threads, which would be expected if the components were separated by force.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel distribution › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,012 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 19, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 17,895 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Wright R-2600 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Claire Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: MIV Millville NJ at 9:43 pm
- Destination: MIV Millville NJ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 6,002 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 pm from MIV
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA09LA191.