The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Birmingham, Alabama
Location: Coden, AL
Accident Number: ERA20LA161
Date & Time: April 24, 2020, 10:45 Local
Registration: N43310
Aircraft: Keuthan Aircraft Corp Buccaneer II
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On April 24, 2020, about 1045 central daylight time, a Keuthan Aircraft Corp. Buccaneer II, N43310, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Coden, Alabama. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot he mixed automobile gas with oil and departed from his grass airstrip with full fuel tanks, which was about 10 gallons of fuel. He was on flying in the local area over water at 800 ft when "the engine began to lose power, rpm started a slow continuous drop." He moved the throttle to full power, but the engine continued to lose rpms and airspeed. About 150 ft, the "engine quit," and he attempted to glide to a small island. About 25 ft the right wing stalled first, the airplane rolled right, and the nose dropped. The airplane impacted power lines, and then terrain. During the 1 hour 15-minute flight he reported the engine performance was normal prior to the loss of power.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident scene and noted that the fuel tank contained about 2 gallons of fuel. Fuel was also present in both carburetor bowls. The fuel and fuel filter were free of debris and contaminates. The engine's crankshaft was manually rotated by turning the propeller, and continuity of the crankshaft and compression of each cylinder was confirmed. An engine test run was performed and the engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously at all selected power settings without interruption. The airplane was not equipped with carburetor heat.
At 1335, the weather reported at Mobile Downtown Airport (BFM), located about 16 nautical miles south of the accident site, included a temperature of 24°C, and a of dew point 14°C. The calculated relative humidity at this temperature and dewpoint was about 53.5%.
The pilot completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) and reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Furthermore, in the "Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation" section of the report he stated that "manual carburetor heat should be added to all 2 stroke engines."
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Keuthan Aircraft Corp
Registration: N43310
Model/Series: Buccaneer II
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBFM,26 ft msl
Observation Time: 10:40 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C /14°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 60°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.87 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Foley, AL (NONE)
Destination: Foley, AL (NONE)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 30.376943,-88.157501 (est)
UPDATE (12:15 p.m.) – The following is information from the Federal Aviation Administration:
An experimental Keuthan Buccaneer II aircraft landed on the beach in Mobile, Alabama, at 10:40 a.m. CDT today. The pilot was the only person onboard. He reported no injuries to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the accident.
UPDATE (11:50 a.m.) —
MOBILE, Alabama (WKRG) – A small aircraft has crashed on Bellingrath Road at the AL 188 Bridge (Fowl River Bridge) Friday morning. The Mobile County Sheriff’s office reports the pilot of the plane took out a few power lines but is okay.
We are told the FAA is investigating the crash.
The Coast Guard also confirmed the plane crash, but are not involved as it is not currently a search and rescue.
(ORIGINAL STORY) – Mobile Traffic reports a small aircraft has crashed on Bellingrath Road.
The report says the aircraft struck the AL 188 bridge over West Fowl River.
They confirm the pilot made it out of the aircraft.
https://www.wkrg.com
I wouldn't call being snatched out of the air by power lines while flying low over a river, a forced landing.
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