Pilot Debrief

Beech C23 near Watertown, SD — 2011-12-09

Final reportCEN12LA103
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Date
2011-12-09
Location
Watertown, SD, USA
Airport
KATY
Aircraft
Beech C23
Registration
N6717K
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that there were no anomalies with the engine operation during a before-takeoff engine check or when he applied power for takeoff. He stated that shortly after liftoff, about 50 to 100 feet above the runway, the engine suddenly lost power. He immediately performed a landing on the remaining runway. The airplane touched down hard and then bounced several times before the nose and right main landing gear collapsed. The accident engine demonstrated the ability to produce rated horsepower during a postaccident operational test run. A postaccident examination failed to reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation. Additionally, there was no significant risk of carburetor ice accumulation at any engine power setting.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after engine power loss at 50-100 feet.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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