Pilot Debrief

EAGLE AIRCRAFT CO EAGLE DW 1 near Hector, MN — 2015-07-29

Final reportCEN15LA326
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Date
2015-07-29
Location
Hector, MN, USA
Aircraft
EAGLE AIRCRAFT CO EAGLE DW 1
Registration
N8806B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The intermittent partial loss of engine power, which resulted in a lower-than-expected approach glidepath and impact with terrain short of the runway. The reason for the intermittent partial loss of engine power could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that new spray booms had been installed on the airplane and that he was returning to the airport after performing an aerial application test flight. During final approach for landing, the pilot noticed that the airplane was going to be short of the intended landing point, so he advanced the engine throttle to reestablish a proper glidepath. The engine did not respond as expected, so the pilot continued to advance the throttle; however, the engine still did not respond as expected. The pilot realized that the airplane was not going to reach the runway, so he applied maximum throttle, which resulted in the engine surging. He then increased the angle-of-attack in an attempt to gain maximum lift. However, the airplane's descent rate increased, and the spray booms subsequently contacted the bean field. The airplane then impacted the bean field, bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have caused the intermittent partial power loss.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have initiated a go-around earlier to avoid landing short.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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