Pilot Debrief

SNYDER SEAREY near New Ipswich, NH — 2024-06-25

Final reportERA24LA276
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Date
2024-06-25
Location
New Ipswich, NH, USA
Aircraft
SNYDER SEAREY
Registration
N453TS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to the exhaust muffler and tailpipe assembly separating from its attach points and impacting the propeller.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that shortly after reaching his initial cruise altitude, he heard a “loud bang” and the pusher-style engine lost all power. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to restore engine power multiple times. After he determined that he would be unable to restore power to the engine, the pilot performed a forced landing in a wooded area, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane at the accident site revealed that the exhaust muffler and tailpipe assembly was separated from the engine and not located at the accident site. Following recovery, a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed the only anomaly to be the missing exhaust muffler and tailpipe assembly. Two of the propeller blades, which were mounted aft of the engine, displayed impact damage signatures and portions of the blades had broken free, which were also not located. Only one of the eight exhaust springs that attach the exhaust muffler and tailpipe assembly to the exhaust risers remained with the exhaust risers. The spring displayed deformation on the exhaust muffler end consistent with being pulled out of position. It is likely that the exhaust muffler and tailpipe assembly had separated from the exhaust risers during flight and impacted the propeller, which resulted in a loss of power of the engine. The reason for the exhaust muffler and tailpipe separation could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked exhaust components before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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