Pilot Debrief

Lansdorf Qualt near Sonoma, CA — 2010-11-06

Final reportWPR11LA039
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Date
2010-11-06
Location
Sonoma, CA, USA
Airport
0Q9
Aircraft
Lansdorf Qualt
Registration
N3215S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power 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 after takeoff it felt as if the airplane was in a strong downdraft or strong tailwind gust and that "somehow there was not enough power.” When the airplane reached about 100 to 150 feet above ground level, it veered right, rapidly descended, and collided with a warehouse. A witness reported that he heard the engine running but that it was only producing partial power. During the postaccident examination of the engine, the engine started without hesitation and ran smoothly during a test run. Although the reported weather conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power, it could not be determined if carburetor icing was the reason for the partial loss of engine power. Further, weather conditions were not conducive to strong wind.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff upon feeling insufficient power during initial climb.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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