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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 16, 1982 · Volksplane VP-2 · N3SW

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 16, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Volksplane VP-2
Tail Number
N3SW
Operator
James E Taylor
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW83LA016

AFTER TAKING OFF, THE PILOT FLEW BACK BY THE AIRPORT AND THEN BEGAN TO CLIMB AGAIN. WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH ABOUT 700 FT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT. DURING A LANDING, HE CLEARED OVER AN AREA WITH TREES BUT STRUCK A POWER LINE AND CRASHED. HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD JUST INSTALLED A PRIMER WITHOUT A LOCKING DEVICE. REPORTEDLY, THE PRIMER OPENED DURING FLIGHT AND FLOODED THE ENGINE. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS AIRCRAFT.

Full Narrative

AFTER TAKING OFF, THE PILOT FLEW BACK BY THE AIRPORT AND THEN BEGAN TO CLIMB AGAIN. WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH ABOUT 700 FT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT. DURING A LANDING, HE CLEARED OVER AN AREA WITH TREES BUT STRUCK A POWER LINE AND CRASHED. HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD JUST INSTALLED A PRIMER WITHOUT A LOCKING DEVICE. REPORTEDLY, THE PRIMER OPENED DURING FLIGHT AND FLOODED THE ENGINE. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS AIRCRAFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVolksplane VP-2
Tail NumberN3SW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames E Taylor
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagon · Reciprocating
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data