Pilot Debrief

REPUBLIC RC-3 near Snohomish, WA — 2012-07-21

Final reportWPR12LA318
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Date
2012-07-21
Location
Snohomish, WA, USA
Airport
S43
Aircraft
REPUBLIC RC-3
Registration
N87521
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

Loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that 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 during takeoff for the local flight, the engine lost power. A witness reported that shortly after takeoff, the airplane descended and collided with a tree located off the departure end of the runway then impacted terrain. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after experiencing power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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