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August 3, 2013 · Snyder Todd W Titan Tornado 1 · N70786

Wild Rose, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 3, 2013
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Wild Rose, WI
Aircraft
Snyder Todd W Titan Tornado 1
Tail Number
N70786
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13LA460

Shortly after takeoff, the airplane's engine lost power. The airplane hit trees and then terrain, resulting in substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that one spark plug and its lead assembly had separated from its cylinder. Examination of the threads and the orifice on the cylinder revealed no anomalies. Further examination revealed that the remaining spark plugs were loose but had not separated from their respective cylinders. It is likely that the spark plug that had become separated was also loose and not properly secured during maintenance. Examination of the airplane's engine, airframe, and systems revealed no additional anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Ignition system-Spark plugs/igniters-Incorrect service/maintenance - C

Full Narrative

On August 3, 2013, about 1130 central daylight time, an experimental amateur built Titan Tornado 1 airplane, N70786, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain after takeoff at Wild Rose Idlewild Airport (W23), Wild Rose, Wisconsin. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who traveled to the scene, several witnesses reported that the pilot was having problems with his engine. The pilot had removed and cleaned the spark plugs and was flying the airplane to see if the problem persisted. Shortly after takeoff the engine lost power. The airplane hit trees and then terrain, resulting in substantial damage to both wings, the empennage, and the fuselage. The FAA inspector reported that one spark plug and lead assembly had separated from its cylinder. Examination of the threads and the orifice on the cylinder revealed no anomalies. He stated that the remaining spark plugs were loose but had not separated from their respective cylinders. An examination of the airframe and remaining systems revealed no anomalies. In a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that he had not been having problems with the engine and had not removed or cleaned the spark plugs prior to the accident. He stated that the accident flight was the first flight of the airplane; he had just purchased the airplane and had not operated it or flown it prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CDT
Nearest AirportWild Rose Idlewild Airport (1nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSnyder Todd W Titan Tornado 1
Tail NumberN70786
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 52
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Sprt · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data