Pilot Debrief

ROTH FRANK RONALD AVID AIRCRAFT near Knoxville, TN — 2023-10-22

Final reportERA24LA018
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Date
2023-10-22
Location
Knoxville, TN, USA
Airport
TN98
Aircraft
ROTH FRANK RONALD AVID AIRCRAFT
Registration
N246ML
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to a seized piston in the power take-off cylinder.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had completed a preflight inspection and engine run-up with no anomalies noted. Shortly after takeoff, during the initial climb when the airplane was about 400 ft above the ground level (agl), the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot elected to land straight ahead on a riverbank. During the landing, the airplane struck trees and a metal fence before coming to rest in the river, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane’s two-stroke engine was conducted by the pilot. The pilot reported that the piston in the power take-off cylinder (PTO) had seized.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have performed internal maintenance on the engine before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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