Pilot Debrief

AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO AL3 near Elberta, AL — 2016-05-31

Final reportERA16LA199
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Date
2016-05-31
Location
Elberta, AL, USA
Airport
AL08
Aircraft
AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO AL3
Registration
N156WB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the engine ran normally during a postaccident engine test run with no anomalies noted.

NTSB narrative

The sport pilot reported that he had conducted two uneventful touch-and-go landings in the light-sport airplane. After the pilot climbed the airplane to about 200 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. The pilot tried to turn back to the airport, but the airplane lost altitude and struck some trees about 50 ft short of the runway. The pilot observed fuel "pouring out" of the airplane and shut off the electrical system before exiting the airplane. During a postaccident test run of the engine at several power settings, the engine performed normally with no anomalies noted. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have conducted a thorough preflight inspection before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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