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September 4, 2007 · Kearney Pulsar XP · N137GK

Cottonwood, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 4, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cottonwood, AZ
Aircraft
Kearney Pulsar XP
Tail Number
N137GK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA07LA252

According to the pilot, the airplane was climbing through 300 feet with an airspeed of about 80 mph, when the engine began to run "very rough" and lose power. The power decayed to idle, although the engine continued to run. The pilot executed a forced landing straight ahead, and during the ground roll, the airplane encountered a ditch. The canopy separated, both main landing gear struts were broken, and the fuselage sustained structural damage. During post-accident examination of the airplane, the engine was started and run at idle power. The left and right ignition systems were checked. No discrepancies were noted. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On September 3, 2007, about 1830 mountain standard time, a Kearney Pulsar XP, N137GK, encountered a ditch during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb from runway 14 at Cottonwood Airport, Cottonwood, Arizona. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot was operating the airplane as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the planned local flight. According to the pilot, the airplane was climbing through 300 feet with an airspeed of about 80 mph, when the engine began to run "very rough" and lose power. The power decayed to idle, although the engine continued to run. The pilot executed a forced landing straight ahead, and during the ground roll, the airplane encountered a ditch. The canopy separated and both main landing gear struts were broken. Oil was dripping from the lower cowling and from inside of the left exhaust. The airplane's belly, left gear strut and left wing root were covered in oil. On November 13, 2007, the airplane was examined under the supervision of the NTSB investigator-in-charge at the facilities of Air Transport in Phoenix, Arizona. The wings had been removed from the airplane by recovery personnel. Cracks were noted in the fiberglass structure of the right wing root rib and in the fuselage floor at the right landing gear attach point. The engine mount was bent, and all three propeller blades had separated from the hub. The coolant tank was found empty, and the oil tank contained oil at a level on the dipstick below the stick markings. Both carburetor bowls were removed, and residual automotive fuel was found in the bowls. No water was noted; however, there were brown particles floating in the fuel. The carburetor bowls were reinstalled. The damaged propeller was removed from the engine, and a fuel supply was attached to the left fuel line at the wing root. Using the aircraft electrical system, the fuel boost pump was energized and fuel flowed to the engine. The engine was started and run at idle power. The left and right ignition systems were checked. No discrepancies were noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 MST
Nearest AirportCottonwood (1nm)
Runway14
Runway Length4250 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKearney Pulsar XP
Tail NumberN137GK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912UL · Reciprocating · 95
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data