Pilot Debrief

Pipistrel SINUS near Haverhill, MA — 2019-07-04

Final reportERA19LA214
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Date
2019-07-04
Location
Haverhill, MA, USA
Airport
LWM
Aircraft
Pipistrel SINUS
Registration
N269PW
Category
Glider
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to utilize the proper procedure and unfeather the motorized glider’s propeller prior to an in-flight engine restart, resulting in a lack of thrust and subsequent forced landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed in his motorized glider, climbed to 3,500 ft, then turned off the engine and feathered the two-bladed propeller once he reached the area where he wanted to soar. Since weather conditions were not conducive to soaring, he attempted to return to the airport. In preparation to land he said he restarted the engine without using the glider's documented procedures. The engine started but was not producing the expected power. The pilot thought he had a fuel problem and was not aware that the propeller was still in a feathered condition. Although the engine was operating normally, the feathered propeller was unable to produce the thrust needed to maintain altitude. The pilot subsequently made a forced landing and the airplane impacted a fence about 1.5 miles short of the runway. The glider sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the glider revealed that both propeller blades and the propeller control knob were in the feathered position. Examination of the engine and airplane revealed no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation at the time of impact.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not use the documented engine restart procedure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents10

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