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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 20, 2011 · Dotson William P SNGL SEAT HAWK Arrow · N4209F

Carthage, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 20, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Carthage, NC
Aircraft
Dotson William P SNGL SEAT HAWK Arrow
Tail Number
N4209F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11CA355

According to the pilot, during the turn from the base leg to final approach, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. He performed a forced landing into some small trees because he knew he could not glide the airplane to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spars. A postaccident examination revealed that a spark plug was backed out of the No. 1 cylinder and was suspended from the electrode wire. The pilot reported that he had changed the engine spark plugs the day before the accident and that he may have cross-threaded one of them.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power due to the pilot’s improper installation of the engine’s No. 1 cylinder spark plugs.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot during the turn from the base leg to the final approach the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The airplane impacted a tree causing substantial damage to the wing spars. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage and noted that one spark plug was found backed out of the No. 1 cylinder and was suspended from the electrode wire. The pilot reported that he had changed the engine spark plugs the day before the accident and that he may have cross-threaded one of the spark plugs.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportGilliam Mcconnell (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width36 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDotson William P SNGL SEAT HAWK Arrow
Tail NumberN4209F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Sprt · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time14:35
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data