N8534Y Crook M-1 accident

NTSB MIA82FLD17 · 1982-03-13 · TARPON SPRINGS, FL

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Factual narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE FIRST TRIED TO START THE ENGINE BEFORE TAKEOFF, THERE WAS A LACK OF IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT START. HE FOUND MOISTURE IN THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP, DRIED IT OUT, CLEANED THE POINTS, AND THEN THE ENGINE STARTED NORMALLY. BEFORE TAKING OFF, HE WARMED THE ENGINE AND GAVE IT A TEST RUN FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER A NORMAL CLIMB, THERE WAS A SUDDEN POWER LOSS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WITH A WINDMILLING PROPELLER, HE WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE BACK TO THE AIRPORT. HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A FIELD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR OVER A HOUSE. HE STATED THERE WAS A LACK OF ELEVATOR CONTROL AT 60 MPH WITH A WINDMILLING PUSHER PROPELLER. THIS WAS WELL ABOVE THE STALL SPEED OF 32 MPH. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. HOWEVER, DAMAGE PREVENTED A THROUGH CHECK OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM.

Circumstances

Event type

Accident

Highest injury

Serious

Weather conditions

Visual Meteorological Cond

Light condition

Day

Sky condition

UNK

Ceiling (ft)

0

Visibility (sm)

25

Wind direction

18

Wind speed (kt)

3

Nearest airport

TORII

Distance from field

0.0

Airport elevation

0

Aircraft

Sequence of events

Findings