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NTSB Report
September 10, 1989 · Woods Formula VEE SL-1 Formula VE · N31549
Allaire Airport, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Allaire Airport, NJ
Aircraft
Woods Formula VEE SL-1 Formula VE
Tail Number
N31549
Operator
Richard Leonard
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC89DHM05
THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ESTIMATED 50 TO 75 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. HE ATTEMPTED TO TROUBLESHOOT AND INITIATED A TURN BACK TOWARDS THE RUNWAY. THE ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD ON AN AIRPORT ACCESS ROAD, 'FLATTENED THE LANDING GEAR...' AND SKIDDED INTO A SANDY DITCH. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FLOWN ON TWO BRIEF LOCAL FLIGHTS EARLIER IN THE DAY, AND BOTH PILOTS STATED THAT THE ENGINE PERFORMED NORMALLY DURING THOSE FLIGHTS. INVESTIGATORS WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE IMPROPER FLARE AND TOUCHDOWN BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND WHILE MAKING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ESTIMATED 50 TO 75 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. HE ATTEMPTED TO TROUBLESHOOT AND INITIATED A TURN BACK TOWARDS THE RUNWAY. THE ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD ON AN AIRPORT ACCESS ROAD, 'FLATTENED THE LANDING GEAR...' AND SKIDDED INTO A SANDY DITCH. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FLOWN ON TWO BRIEF LOCAL FLIGHTS EARLIER IN THE DAY, AND BOTH PILOTS STATED THAT THE ENGINE PERFORMED NORMALLY DURING THOSE FLIGHTS. INVESTIGATORS WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:17 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftWoods Formula VEE SL-1 Formula VE
Tail NumberN31549
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichard Leonard
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · AUTO ENGINE · Reciprocating · 65
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280°
Visibility4 sm
CeilingUnknown 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC