Pilot Debrief

TEMCO GC 1B near Yulee, FL — 2014-07-28

Final reportERA14LA363
Sign in to save
Date
2014-07-28
Location
Yulee, FL, USA
Airport
FL84
Aircraft
TEMCO GC 1B
Registration
N1CY
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot was taking off in the airplane for a personal flight. A witness reported seeing the airplane depart and then noting that the engine rpm was "low but steady." About 200 ft above ground level, the airplane banked left, "stalled," and then descended out of the witness's view. The airplane impacted terrain in a marshy area about 0.2 nautical mile from the departure end of the runway. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. Although atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for the accumulation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise engine power settings, it could not be determined if carburetor ice had formed while the airplane was on the ground before the accident. Although the pilot was susceptible to an increased risk of impairment/incapacitation from an enlarged heart and septal scarring, the investigation was unable to determine if pilot impairment due to heart disease or other identified medical conditions contributed to the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff due to low engine RPMs observed at departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents12

Related mishaps