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April 20, 1985 · Istvanick Zipppy Sport Zipppy SPO · N39322

Connellsville, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Connellsville, PA
Aircraft
Istvanick Zipppy Sport Zipppy SPO
Tail Number
N39322
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC85FGM03

THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. PLT STATED HE PERFORMED 3 HIGH SPEED TAXI RUNS DURING WHICH THE ACFT AND ENG OPERATED NORMALLY. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE ON THE 4TH TAXI RUN, CLIMBED TO APRX 75 FT AGL AND BEGAN LOSING ALT WHEN A LEFT TURN TO DOWNWIND WAS ENTERED. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THE 2 POSITION FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS STIFF TO MOVE. REMOVAL OF THE SELECTOR VALVE REVEALED THE ROTATING SHAFT SEAL GASKET HAD DETERIORATED BLOCKING APRX 50% OF THE INLET FUEL FLOW AND APRX 60-65% OF THE OUTLET FUEL FLOW. THIS WAS THE 1ST FLT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT ACFT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. PLT STATED HE PERFORMED 3 HIGH SPEED TAXI RUNS DURING WHICH THE ACFT AND ENG OPERATED NORMALLY. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE ON THE 4TH TAXI RUN, CLIMBED TO APRX 75 FT AGL AND BEGAN LOSING ALT WHEN A LEFT TURN TO DOWNWIND WAS ENTERED. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THE 2 POSITION FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS STIFF TO MOVE. REMOVAL OF THE SELECTOR VALVE REVEALED THE ROTATING SHAFT SEAL GASKET HAD DETERIORATED BLOCKING APRX 50% OF THE INLET FUEL FLOW AND APRX 60-65% OF THE OUTLET FUEL FLOW. THIS WAS THE 1ST FLT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT ACFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 EST
Nearest AirportConnellsville (0nm WSW)
Runway23
Runway Length3840 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftIstvanick Zipppy Sport Zipppy SPO
Tail NumberN39322
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRevmaster · SAA CITRUEN · Reciprocating · 32
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data