Grumman Corp Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 4500; Flight Crew Type 20
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
While flying to an air show I experienced engine trouble which was later determined to be a swallowed valve. The engine developed severe vibration as well as cutting on and off. I had considerable smoke in the cockpit as well. I declared an emergency and was vectored to the nearest suitable airport where I was able to make a safe landing without any damage to the aircraft; airport or myself.All facets of ATC did a fantastic job of assisting me with this emergency. I was able to use them as an asset as they provide vectors; runways in use; winds and provided me with the UNICOM frequency and alerted the airport of my emergency. Their assistance allowed me to concentrate on flying the plane and not these other things.
The engine of a vintage Grumman war bird swallowed a valve and ATC provided generous assistance while vectoring the pilot to the nearest suitable airport where he made a safe landing.