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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 24, 1994 · Advanced Acft WACO 10 GXE WACO 10 GX · NC5852

Rochester, NH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Rochester, NH
Aircraft
Advanced Acft WACO 10 GXE WACO 10 GX
Tail Number
NC5852
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO94LA146

THE PILOTS REPORTED THAT AT ABOUT 300 TO 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER. WHILE MANEUVERING BACK TO THE RUNWAY OVER A WOODED AREA, THE AIRPLANE WAS INADVERTENTLY STALLED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES. THE PILOT/OWNER STATED HE HAD INSTALLED A NEW PROPELLER ASSEMBLY WHICH HE BELIEVED MIGHT HAVE ALTERED THE AIRPLANE'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE.

NTSB Probable Cause

the partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Related factors were unsuitable terrain (trees) and the inadvertent stall.

Full Narrative

On August 24, 1994, at 1441 eastern daylight time, an Advanced Aircraft Company WACO 10 (GXE), NC5852, lost partial engine power during takeoff climb from the Skyhaven Airport in Rochester, New Hampshire. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the subsequent collision with terrain. The pilot and the pilot rated passenger were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and location of the accident. The local personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot rated passenger stated he was the owner of the airplane and was seated in the aft seat. He stated he conducted the flying duties throughout the flight. He said the accident flight was the first flight since the airplane received a major restoration. He said that during the takeoff climb, the engine did not produce enough power to meet the climb performance criteria needed to clear obstacles at the end of the runway. He stated he turned the airplane to the left to avoid trees at the end of the runway. He stated that during the turn the airplane was inadvertently stalled and it collided with the trees. The pilot in command of the airplane stated that he was seated in the front seat and was acting pilot in command due to his recent experience in tailwheel airplanes. He stated the pilot rated passenger had not flown any airplane for about two years. The pilot in command stated that the preflight run-up of the engine was accomplished and no abnormalities were noticed. He stated takeoff was initiated at an engine revolutions per minute (RPM) of 1,600. He stated that about 3,000 feet down the 4,001-foot-long runway and about 300 to 400 feet above the runway, the engine lost 200 revolutions per minute. He stated that he and the pilot-rated passenger communicated by hand signals and decided to turn around and land the airplane on the runway. He stated that during the turn the airplane collided with trees. Examination of the accident site revealed the airplane collided with trees about 1,500 feet past the end of the departed runway. Post accident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies. The pilot/owner of the airplane stated that when he purchased the airplane it had a Sensenich Propeller Assembly and the theoretical blade pitch angle was 69 inches (96T69). He stated that with these propeller blades, the engine RPM's during takeoff were about 1700. The pilot/owner stated that he bought a new Falcon propeller assembly and asked for a theoretical blade pitch angle of 70 inches. He said prior to the accident flight he installed the propeller assembly, model number 93-96-60. He said that the published static RPM of 1580 was reached but during takeoff the maximum RPM was 1625. He stated that he thought that the airplane's climb performance might have been altered by the new propeller assembly.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:41 EDT
Nearest AirportSKYHAVEN (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length4001 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAdvanced Acft WACO 10 GXE WACO 10 GX
Tail NumberNC5852
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsMilwaukee Prt · 73 V502 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 9 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data