Pilot Debrief

AEROPRAKT A 20 VISTA CRUISER near Shirley, NY — 2017-07-17

Final reportERA17LA247
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Date
2017-07-17
Location
Shirley, NY, USA
Airport
HWV
Aircraft
AEROPRAKT A 20 VISTA CRUISER
Registration
N55US
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent activation of the engine's choke control during a downdraft encounter, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that he was conducting touch-and-go landings and that, while on final approach, the experimental, light sport airplane encountered a downdraft, and the engine lost total power. The pilot was unable to restart the engine or glide the airplane to the runway, and it impacted trees. The engine was test run successfully several times, and no anomalies were noted. The engine's choke control was located near the throttle lever. During the test runs, the engine lost total power if the choke control was moved about halfway (1 inch). It is likely that the pilot's hand was on the throttle lever and that it inadvertently bumped the choke control during the downdraft encounter, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked choke control before final approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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