Sunday, August 04, 2013

Titan Tornado I, N70786: Accident occurred August 03, 2013 in Wild Rose, Wisconsin


NTSB Identification: CEN13LA460 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, August 03, 2013 in Wild Rose, WI
Probable Cause Approval Date: 01/30/2014
Aircraft: SNYDER TODD W TITAN TORNADO 1, registration: N70786
Injuries: 1 Serious.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

Shortly after takeoff, the airplane's engine lost power. The airplane hit trees and then terrain, resulting in substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that one spark plug and its lead assembly had separated from its cylinder. Examination of the threads and the orifice on the cylinder revealed no anomalies. Further examination revealed that the remaining spark plugs were loose but had not separated from their respective cylinders. It is likely that the spark plug that had become separated was also loose and not properly secured during maintenance. Examination of the airplane's engine, airframe, and systems revealed no additional anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The improperly secured spark plug, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.


On August 3, 2013, about 1130 central daylight time, an experimental amateur built Titan Tornado 1 airplane, N70786, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain after takeoff at Wild Rose Idlewild Airport (W23), Wild Rose, Wisconsin. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who traveled to the scene, several witnesses reported that the pilot was having problems with his engine. The pilot had removed and cleaned the spark plugs and was flying the airplane to see if the problem persisted. Shortly after takeoff the engine lost power. The airplane hit trees and then terrain, resulting in substantial damage to both wings, the empennage, and the fuselage.

The FAA inspector reported that one spark plug and lead assembly had separated from its cylinder. Examination of the threads and the orifice on the cylinder revealed no anomalies. He stated that the remaining spark plugs were loose but had not separated from their respective cylinders. An examination of the airframe and remaining systems revealed no anomalies.

In a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that he had not been having problems with the engine and had not removed or cleaned the spark plugs prior to the accident. He stated that the accident flight was the first flight of the airplane; he had just purchased the airplane and had not operated it or flown it prior to the accident.



NTSB Identification: CEN13LA460 
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, August 03, 2013 in Wild Rose, WI
Aircraft: SNYDER TODD W TITAN TORNADO 1, registration: N70786
Injuries: 1 Serious.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On August 3, 2013, about 1300 central daylight time, an experimental amateur built Titan Tornado 1 airplane, N70786, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain after takeoff at Wild Rose Idlewild Airport ((W23), Wild Rose, Wisconsin. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who traveled to the scene, the pilot was having problems with his engine. The pilot had removed and cleaned the spark plugs and was flying the airplane to see if the problem persisted. Shortly after takeoff the engine lost power. The airplane hit trees and then terrain, resulting in substantial damage to both wings, the empennage, and the fuselage.


http://www.titanaircraft.com/tornado_i.php

http://registry.faa.gov/N70786




WAUSHARA COUNTY (MyFoxWausau) - 

 8/4/13 UPDATE: Theda Clark Hospital officials tell FOX55 News@9 the man involved in the crash, Gerald Reusch, 57, was treated and released from the hospital.

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The Waushara County Sheriff's Office says a man was hospitalized after a plane crash Saturday.

Sheriff's officials say the crash happened around 11 a.m. near 19th Road in the Town of Springwater.

Waushara County Sheriff's authorities say the pilot, Gerald Reusch, 57, of Neshkoro, was taken to Theda Clark Hospital for injuries.

Officials say the Federal Aviation Administration was on the scene helping Waushara County deputies investigate the crash.

Sheriff's officers say the initial investigation indicates the engine may have malfunctioned.

Waushara County Sheriff's officials say the plane was removed by volunteers.

The crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.


Story and Photo:  http://www.myfoxwausau.com