Pilot Debrief

SHAFFER DONALD ARION LIGHTNING near Toughkenamon, PA — 2016-08-04

Final reportERA16LA285
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Date
2016-08-04
Location
Toughkenamon, PA, USA
Airport
N57
Aircraft
SHAFFER DONALD ARION LIGHTNING
Registration
N270J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The sport pilot, who was also the builder of the experimental, amateur-built airplane, stated that, as he was preparing to land the airplane, he reduced the power to idle while turning onto the left base leg, and the engine stopped producing power. The pilot tried to restart the engine several times, but he realized that the airplane was not going to reach the runway, so he attempted to land in a field. The airplane struck a power line and landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, firewall, and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although the engine data for the last few minutes of the flight were consistent with a loss of engine power as reported by the pilot, no anomalies were noted that explained the power loss. Therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing earlier when engine power decreased significantly.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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