Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 175 near Skwentna, AK — 2013-06-29

Final reportANC13LA059
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Date
2013-06-29
Location
Skwentna, AK, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 175
Registration
N7698M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. .

NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing from a grass-covered runway, and about 100 feet above the ground, the airplane's engine began to lose power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot landed the airplane in a swamp; during the landing the airplane nosed over, substantially damaging the wings and vertical stabilizer. The pilot stated that the engine had just been returned to service after a major overhaul, and that it had operated about 3 hours since being returned to service. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 6 top spark plug ignition wire was inoperative; however, it could not be determined if the damage to the wire was present before the accident. A significant amount of water was found in the gascolator bowl, but due to the position of the airplane in the swamp after the accident, it could not be determined whether or not the water was present at the time of the accident. No other preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were noted that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff upon initial engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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