NTSB Identification: WPR11FA453
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, September 15, 2011 in Reno, NV
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/24/2012
Aircraft: DACEY VENTURE, registration: N521XD
Injuries: 1 Serious.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot reported that during the takeoff initial climb, he reduced the power and retracted the landing gear. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost total power and the pilot performed a forced landing to an open area off the right side of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard and came to rest upright. The pilot reported that he was going to participate in an air race and that the airplane was equipped with an anti-detonant injection (ADI) system that was designed to inject a methanol and water mixture into the engine at race power settings and was computer controlled. He said that the system was designed to engage when the engine manifold pressure reached a certain level and continue to a race power setting. The pilot stated that he typically armed the ADI system after takeoff during cruise flight; however, he decided to arm the system prior to takeoff. The pilot thought that after the ADI system activated during takeoff, it might have flooded the engine when he reduced engine power to maintain airspeed to allow him to retract the landing gear. Postaccident examination of the fuel injected engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:A total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to the pilot’s premature activation of the engine's anti-detonant injection system.
On September 15, 2011, about 1600 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Dacey Venture, N521XD, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb from the Reno/Stead Airport (RTS), Reno, Nevada. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local air race flight that was originating at the time of the accident.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that during takeoff initial climb, he retracted the landing gear and began his normal climb out. Shortly after, the engine lost power. Following his unsuccessful attempt to troubleshoot the engine at a low altitude, he initiated a forced landing to an open area to the right side of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard and came to rest upright. The pilot added that he chose to land off the runway due to other aircraft departing behind him and he was unsure of their locations.
The pilot further reported that an anti-detonant injection (ADI) system was computer controlled, and had been installed in the airplane for about four years prior. He said that the ADI system was designed to engage when engine manifold pressure passed 40 inches and continued to operate to a race power setting. The pilot stated that he typically armed the ADI system after takeoff during cruise flight, however, decided to arm the system prior to takeoff on the accident flight. The pilot felt that after the ADI system activated during takeoff, it may have flooded the engine when he reduced engine power to maintain airspeed to allow him to retract the landing gear.
The ADI system installed on the accident airplane was configured to inject a methanol and water mixture into the engine in order to assist in the prevention of cylinder detonation.
Examination of the airplane by the IIC revealed that it had come to rest upright about 500 feet north of runway 26 within the air race course safety area. The left wing was partially separated and the fuselage was buckled aft of the cockpit. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.
Examination of the recovered IO-550-C (EXP) fuel injected engine, serial number 271780, revealed that all engine accessories remained attached to their respective mounts. All six cylinders remained attached to the engine crankcase. The top spark plugs were removed and the internal areas of each cylinder were examined using a lighted borescope. All piston heads and internal areas of the cylinders exhibited no damage and were unremarkable. The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand. Thumb compression was obtained on all six cylinders and mechanical continuity was established throughout the engine and valve train. No evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies were observed with the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Update 4:30 p.m.: The pilot is identified as Mike Dacey of Pismo Beach, Calif., who was flying Bad Intentions, a single-engine sport plane from Questair Venture, a race official said.
Dacey, a building contractor, was taken to Renown Regional Medical Center for a precautionary exam. "He did get up and walk out of the plane," said Tara Trovato, who is handling media relations for the Air Races.
The hard landing occurred during Race 71.
"The plane had some engine problems at takeoff, and he decided to make a hard landing," Trovato said.
The cause of the hard landing and damage to the plane is being assessed. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.
The race Dacey was competing in was able to continue, Travato said.
INITIAL UPDATE: A plane competing in the 2011 Reno National Championship Air Races made a hard landing today at the Reno Stead Airport, RGJ photographer Marilyn Newton reports.
The plane made a belly landing, and the pilot is not injured, Newton reports, citing race officials at the scene.
The plane apparently had lost power, Newton said, adding that the pilot has not been identified.
The hard landing occurred about 3:10 p.m. Officials believe the plane was competing in the sport-class competition.
RENO, Nev. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) - At 3:15 p.m. Pilot Mike Dacey started to take off for a race and realized he had an engine problem with his single engine sport plane "Quest Air Venture." He immediately landed and had a "hard landing." The race went on with no disruption to the schedule.
Due to protocol the Pilot was taken to Renown Medical Center. He was walking out of the aircraft, and there were no apparent injuries.
The incident is under investigation by the NTSB and FAA which are already at the Air Races site.
