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NTSB Report

May 27, 2005 · Hamilton Stoddard Glassair II S · N401KY

Palm City, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Palm City, FL
Aircraft
Hamilton Stoddard Glassair II S
Tail Number
N401KY
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA05LA111

According to the pilot, the takeoff was normal until just after rotation, when he felt a loss of power during the takeoff/initial climb. At an altitude of about 30 feet AGL, he said he saw that the engine rpm had dropped from 2270 rpm to about 1800 rpm, and he immediately concentrated on maintaining airspeed, which had dropped to about 60 to 65 mph. According to the pilot, all he could do was to maintain a wings-level attitude just above stall speed and fly the airplane into the trees. Postcrash examination of the accident airplane was performed by an FAA licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic, under the supervision of an FAA Inspector. According the mechanic, the throttle cable was found to have pulled free of the hole/nut that secured the throttle cable to the throttle arm on the carburetor. No another anomalies were noted to exist any other airplane systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

Improper maintenance by other maintenance personnel, which resulted in the throttle cable being loose and detaching from the throttle arm during takeoff, resulting in a loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On May 27, 2005, about 1135 eastern daylight time, a Hamilton Stoddard Glasair II S experimental amateur-built airplane, N401KY, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed in the vicinity of the Naked Lady Ranch Airport, Palm City, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airline transport-rated pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the takeoff was normal until just after rotation, when he felt a loss of power during the takeoff/initial climb. At an altitude of about 30 feet AGL, he said he saw that the engine rpm had dropped from 2270 rpm to about 1800 rpm, and he immediately concentrated on maintaining airspeed, which had dropped to about 60 to 65 mph. According to the pilot, all he could do was to maintain a wings-level attitude just above stall speed and fly the airplane into the trees. Postcrash examination of the accident airplane was performed by an FAA licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic, under the supervision of an FAA Inspector. According the mechanic, the throttle cable was found to have pulled free of the hole/nut that secured the throttle cable to the throttle arm on the carburetor. No other anomalies were noted to exist in any other airplane systems.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:35 EDT
Nearest AirportNaked Lady Ranch (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length3300 ft
Runway Width120 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHamilton Stoddard Glassair II S
Tail NumberN401KY
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3400 ft
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data