BOEHLKE KEVIN P 2/3 SCALE JENNY near Hannacroix, NY — 2012-03-18

Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot's improper high-speed taxi test, which resulted in a loss of control and the pilot's subsequent decision to take off to avoid trees. Also causal, was an in-flight magneto failure, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane due to his lack of total flight experience and his lack of experience in the airplane make and model.

NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot built the airplane, which was certificated about 19 months earlier. According to the pilot, the airplane had not flown, and because he wanted to ensure it was flyable again, he conducted a high-speed taxi test with no intent for flight. During the taxi test, the pilot lost control of the airplane, and by the time he had regained control, the airplane was approaching the end of the runway. To avoid the trees, the pilot decided to take off and complete one circuit to a landing. As the pilot turned the airplane onto final approach, he noted a loss of engine power. The pilot then lost control of the airplane, regained it, and attempted to land in a small field as the airplane continued to lose altitude. The pilot avoided a barn, but while doing so, the airplane hit a pine tree, spun around into the direction from which it came, and dropped nose-first to the ground. Postflight examination of the airplane revealed evidence of low power on the 65-horsepower engine at impact, and the left magneto was inoperative. Federal Aviation Administration records indicated that the pilot had previously held a student pilot certificate, which expired in 2001, and the pilot indicated that he had no flight experience in the accident airplane make and model.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Engine power loss

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have aborted the flight after losing control during taxi tests.

NTSB coding

• Loss of engine power (partial) · Approach-VFR pattern final
• Experience / Qualifications

Evidence available

• Photos
• 3 docket documents

Docket documents3

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Photo 1 - Airplane Wreckage (Courtesy FAA)photos
• Photo 2 - Google Earth Layout: Accident Site Relative to the Runway (Courtesy FAA)photos

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