Pilot Debrief

JIM RIGGS AK RIDGE RUNNER near Wasilla, AK — 2016-04-23

Final reportANC16LA021
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Date
2016-04-23
Location
Wasilla, AK, USA
Airport
89AK
Aircraft
JIM RIGGS AK RIDGE RUNNER
Registration
N1549M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The light sport pilot was departing uphill from a 2,000-ft-long by 200-ft-wide gravel-covered runway, which was surrounded by trees. He said that, as the airplane approached midfield, it became airborne and the engine "sputtered," so he elected to abort the takeoff. After the airplane touched down, he was unable to stop it before striking a stand of trees at the end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. A maintenance technician's postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. An aviation weather reporting station located 2 miles southeast of the accident site reported weather conditions about the time of the accident that were conducive for light to moderate carburetor icing at any engine power setting; however, the investigation could not determine whether carburetor icing caused the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Applying carburetor heat before takeoff could have prevented engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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