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.
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)
Right. The engine quit, then he stalled the airplane, then the stalled airplane spiraled directly into the power lines.
ReplyDeleteWhat did not happen is that the pilot was buzzing the river, the engine was running fine, and he flew into the power lines.