Pilot Debrief

BOEING A75L3 near San Antonio, TX — 2012-11-20

Final reportCEN13LA068
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Date
2012-11-20
Location
San Antonio, TX, USA
Airport
74R
Aircraft
BOEING A75L3
Registration
N56226
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power during takeoff, likely due to the accumulation of carburetor ice.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that an uneventful landing was performed on the grass runway and the airplane was turned around at the end of the runway for a takeoff in the opposite direction. The pilot reported that the winds were calm at this time. After liftoff, at about 15 feet above the ground, the pilot recognized that the airplane was not producing adequate power and was not accelerating and he landed the airplane. The airplane touched down near the departure end of runway, went off the end of the runway and struck trees. A witness stated that the airplane landed, made a 180 degree turn at the end of the runway and departed in the opposite direction. The witness said that he saw the airplane become airborne and when it was about 20 to 30 feet above the ground it leveled off and appeared to lose power. On-scene examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would account for the loss of engine power. The temperature an dew point recorded at the time of the accident were in the range of susceptibility for moderate carburetor icing at cruise power setting and serious icing at descent power setting. It is not known if the pilot used carburetor heat during the the landing before the accident, however, the carburetor heat control was found in the off position during postaccident examination. Based on the available information it is likely that the airplane's engine experienced carburetor icing which reduced the available power output of the engine.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff earlier when power loss was first recognized.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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