Pilot Debrief

FARTHING JAMES W II BEAVER near Perris, CA — 2014-12-21

Final reportWPR15LA067
Sign in to save
Date
2014-12-21
Location
Perris, CA, USA
Airport
L65
Aircraft
FARTHING JAMES W II BEAVER
Registration
N105JF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to an improperly configured carburetor and fuel supply system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's loss of airplane control during the off-field landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot, who was also the owner/builder of the experimental, amateur-built light sport airplane, was conducting a personal flight. The pilot reported that, earlier on the morning of the accident, he had conducted the first flight since he had performed some maintenance to resolve a longstanding engine surging problem and that, during that flight, the engine operated normally. During takeoff for the accident flight, the engine initially performed normally, but when the pilot initiated the crosswind turn, the engine started to make a "hollow" sound, accompanied by a partial loss of power. As the pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane away from power lines during the attempted forced off-field landing, he lost airplane control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Postaccident examination revealed numerous installation and maintenance discrepancies related to the carburetor and fuel supply system, which were not in accordance with the engine manufacturer's installation and maintenance manuals. Any one of these discrepancies could have resulted in the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Properly securing carburetor components during maintenance could have prevented power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

Related mishaps