Pilot Debrief

MAULE BEE DEE M-4-210 near Cuttyhunk, MA — 2013-06-05

Final reportERA13LA270
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Date
2013-06-05
Location
Cuttyhunk, MA, USA
Airport
NONE
Aircraft
MAULE BEE DEE M-4-210
Registration
N9807M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control.

NTSB narrative

During the takeoff climb from a private runway, several witnesses heard the airplane's engine "sputtering," but another witness heard the engine "running strong." All heard the impact; however, none observed the airplane on the departure roll or at impact. The airplane was found nose down within a row of trees about 300 feet past the steel pole. Postaccident examination of the runway revealed tire tracks, similar in dimension as the accident airplane's tires, leading from the runway to, and slightly past, a knocked over windsock steel pole. However, the tracks were also similar to those of a vehicle on the property. Further, it could not be determined when the pole was knocked down. Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed a puncture in the right elevator in similar in dimension to the steel pole or a tree branch and long grass in the tailwheel assembly, similar to the grass near the windsock and where the airplane normally parked. Thus, the physical evidence on the airplane and near the windsock pole was inconclusive, and the investigation could not determine if the airplane struck the pole during the takeoff roll or not. Further examination of the airplane revealed that there were no preimpact anomalies noted with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Although trace amounts of an orange substance similar in color to lock-tite compound was located within the engine driven fuel pump, it is likely these specks were left in the solvent tank in which the pump was tested and inadvertently were drawn into the engine-driven fuel pump. It is likely that shortly after takeoff, the airplane entered a stalled condition and subsequent spin from which the pilot could not recover due to the low altitude.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff upon hearing engine sputtering.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents19

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