Pilot Debrief

DANTONIO 404 near Wichita Falls, TX — 2014-07-14

Final reportCEN14CA380
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Date
2014-07-14
Location
Wichita Falls, TX, USA
Airport
F14
Aircraft
DANTONIO 404
Registration
N482FD
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The separation of a spark plug wire resulting in a loss of engine power during climb out and a subsequent forced landing on a field containing trees.

NTSB narrative

The pilot took off for a local flight in his experimental amateur-built biplane. During climb out, near 250 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field that contained small trees. The lower wing sustained substantial damage on impact with a tree. An examination of the engine revealed that a spark plug wire had detached from its spark plug's terminal. The pilot's safety recommendation stated that installing an Adel clamp on one of the cylinder bolts will prevent the spark plug wire from vibrating off the spark plug terminal.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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