Pilot Debrief

WARTH DENNIS J Classic Sport S-18 near Tea, SD — 2010-07-24

Final reportCEN10LA429
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Date
2010-07-24
Location
Tea, SD, USA
Airport
Y14
Aircraft
WARTH DENNIS J Classic Sport S-18
Registration
N216TB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's loss of airplane control, which led to an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

A witness reported that the pilot was flying a maintenance test flight because the airplane engine’s carburetor was replaced with a fuel injection system and a new air filter system was installed. The engine appeared to be developing full power during the takeoff roll. When the airplane was about 500 feet above ground level (agl), it made a left crosswind turn. The witness reported seeing a brief puff of black smoke coming from the engine exhaust. The airplane then entered a descending left turn before encountering a full stall about 100 to 150 feet agl. The airplane impacted a cornfield near the airport in about a 60- to 70-degree nose-down, inverted attitude. Postaccident inspection of the airframe revealed no preimpact anomalies. The inspection of the engine and fuel injection system revealed no preimpact anomalies; however, the mechanical fuel pump and both magnetos were broken by impact forces and could not be tested. No other anomalies were found with the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after engine hesitated during run-up.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents10

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