Pilot Debrief

CASHEN Super Acro Sport near Detroit Lakes, MN — 2019-07-16

Final reportCEN19LA226
Sign in to save
Date
2019-07-16
Location
Detroit Lakes, MN, USA
Airport
DTL
Aircraft
CASHEN Super Acro Sport
Registration
N61SC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

An open circuit in the engine's electrical switch box, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a local flight to ensure that the airplane was operating normally for an upcoming trip. While returning to the airport, the engine experienced a loss of power and the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a corn field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot later examined the engine and determined that one of the engine's electrical switch boxes had an open circuit, which prevented electrical charge from reaching the cylinder Nos. 1, 3, and 5 spark plugs. The other switch box, which provided charge to the Nos. 2, 4, and 6 spark plugs, operated normally. It is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of the open circuit and subsequent lack of ignition to three cylinders.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked engine systems before flight to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

Related mishaps