Pilot Debrief

AVENTURA II near Fenton, MI — 2015-07-17

Final reportGAA15CA143
Sign in to save
Date
2015-07-17
Location
Fenton, MI, USA
Aircraft
AVENTURA II
Registration
N1204A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The failure of the student pilot to ensure that the experimental seaplane was airworthy prior to take off.

NTSB narrative

In an email sent to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI), by the student pilot, he reported that the experimental seaplane experienced a partial loss of engine power during takeoff about 400 feet above the ground. The student pilot stated that he turned the experimental seaplane toward the lake but as he ran out of "speed," he "pitched it to the right into some trees." A postaccident examination of the engine by the FAA ASI revealed that the fuel supply line to the forward carburetor was cracked and leaking. The cracked portion of the line was about ½ inch outboard of the carburetor fuel intake fitting. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage when it impacted trees.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff upon engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

Related mishaps