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August 13, 1988 · Cassutt III · N2984G

Shelton, WA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 13, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Shelton, WA
Aircraft
Cassutt III
Tail Number
N2984G
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA88LA152

ACFT HAD BEEN RESTORED AND RECERTIFICATED SINCE LAST FLIGHT IN 1969. ON INITIAL TEST FLIGHT TAKEOFF, PLT IMMEDIATELY TURNED TO AND FLEW LOW, SLOW LANDING PATTERN CIRCUIT WITH SOUNDS OF REDUCED POWER, COLLIDING WITH TREES IN FINAL APPROACH TURN. INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL WHETHER POWER LOSS OCCURRED OR PLT ELECTED TO FLY PATTERN WITH REDUCED POWER. THE ACFT HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION ON 6/19/88 AND WAS REISSUED A CERT OF AIRWORTHINESS ON 7/21/88. THE ACC FLT WAS THE 1ST FLT SINCE 1969 FOR THE ACFT. ON 8/12/88 A HIGH SPEED, FULL POWER TAXI TEST WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE ACFT BRIEFLY AIRBORNE. POST ACC EXTERNAL EXAM OF THE ENG SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE. THE PROP SHOWED MINIMAL ROTATION EVIDENCE AFTER IMPACT. THE ENG HAD BEEN RUN UP TO 3400 RPM ON 8/12 WITH NO DISCREPANCIES NOTED.

Full Narrative

ACFT HAD BEEN RESTORED AND RECERTIFICATED SINCE LAST FLIGHT IN 1969. ON INITIAL TEST FLIGHT TAKEOFF, PLT IMMEDIATELY TURNED TO AND FLEW LOW, SLOW LANDING PATTERN CIRCUIT WITH SOUNDS OF REDUCED POWER, COLLIDING WITH TREES IN FINAL APPROACH TURN. INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL WHETHER POWER LOSS OCCURRED OR PLT ELECTED TO FLY PATTERN WITH REDUCED POWER. THE ACFT HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION ON 6/19/88 AND WAS REISSUED A CERT OF AIRWORTHINESS ON 7/21/88. THE ACC FLT WAS THE 1ST FLT SINCE 1969 FOR THE ACFT. ON 8/12/88 A HIGH SPEED, FULL POWER TAXI TEST WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE ACFT BRIEFLY AIRBORNE. POST ACC EXTERNAL EXAM OF THE ENG SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE. THE PROP SHOWED MINIMAL ROTATION EVIDENCE AFTER IMPACT. THE ENG HAD BEEN RUN UP TO 3400 RPM ON 8/12 WITH NO DISCREPANCIES NOTED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCassutt III
Tail NumberN2984G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data