Pilot Debrief

MOSES TIM C QUICKSILVER near Wingate, NC — 2008-10-21

Final reportERA09LA025
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Date
2008-10-21
Location
Wingate, NC, USA
Aircraft
MOSES TIM C QUICKSILVER
Registration
N184GT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to a fractured crankshaft.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and the student pilot just landed from a cross country instructional flight. They decided to conduct additional traffic pattern work and took off from the grass strip. During the takeoff, when the airplane was 200 feet above the ground, there was a total loss of engine power. The flight instructor elected to allow the student handle the emergency. They were not able to return to the grass strip and elected to land in a rough corn field. The airplane landed flat with the left main wheel touching first. When the nose tire touched the ground the airplane flipped over. The forward section of airframe structure, where the student pilot was seated, collapsed. An examination of the engine revealed a fractured crankshaft near the number 2 piston journal section. The airplane’s maintenance records did not provide any history on the engine.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after engine power loss at 200 feet.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents13

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