Pilot Debrief

CLEVELAND ALLAN B NIEUPORT 11# near Bellingham, WA — 2015-08-07

Final reportWPR15LA235
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Date
2015-08-07
Location
Bellingham, WA, USA
Airport
BLI
Aircraft
CLEVELAND ALLAN B NIEUPORT 11#
Registration
N917AB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that the accident flight was the first flight following replacement of the experimental engine. During takeoff/initial climb, the engine began to lose power, so he attempted to land on the runway opposite the departure runway, likely due to a large body of water straight ahead. During the 180° turn, the pilot realized that the airplane would not reach the runway, so he decided to land on one of the airport's closed runways. The airplane landed short of that runway and nosed over. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before takeoff to prevent engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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