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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 31, 2016 · American Legend Aircraft AL3 Undesignat · N156WB

Elberta, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Elberta, AL
Aircraft
American Legend Aircraft AL3 Undesignat (2012)
Tail Number
N156WB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA16LA199

The sport pilot reported that he had conducted two uneventful touch-and-go landings in the light-sport airplane. After the pilot climbed the airplane to about 200 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. The pilot tried to turn back to the airport, but the airplane lost altitude and struck some trees about 50 ft short of the runway. The pilot observed fuel "pouring out" of the airplane and shut off the electrical system before exiting the airplane. During a postaccident test run of the engine at several power settings, the engine performed normally with no anomalies noted. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the engine ran normally during a postaccident engine test run with no anomalies noted.

Full Narrative

On May 31, 2016, about 1045 central daylight time, an American Legend Aircraft Company AL3, N156WB, collided with terrain following a total loss of engine power after takeoff from Perdido Winds Airpark (AL08), Elberta, Alabama. The sport pilot incurred minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The airplane was registered to and operated by MHOC LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.The pilot was a mechanic for the company that owned the light-sport airplane. He stated that the airplane was due for a condition inspection, and he wanted to "warm the airplane up" before starting the inspection. He arrived at 82J and fueled the airplane with 17 gallons of fuel, waited a period of time, and sampled fuel from the fuel tanks. He completed the preflight inspection and took off for AL08. The pilot made one full stop landing at AL08, taxied back, and departed runway 35 for two touch-and-go landings. After an uneventful touch-and-go landing to runway 35, he made a teardrop turn and planned to land on runway 17. He again performed another uneventful touch and go landing, and while climbing out decided he would return for another full stop landing on runway 35. During his slight right climbing turn, the engine "just quit." The airplane was approximately 200 feet above the ground, and he attempted to continue the turn back to runway 35; however, the airplane subsequently impacted trees about 50 feet short of the runway. The pilot observed fuel "pouring out" and shut off the electrical system prior to exiting the airplane. The engine was then sent to the manufacturer for a full power test-run. The engine was set on an engine run stand and a slave carburetor was installed, since the original carburetor was fractured during impact. The engine started immediately and was idled for several minutes to warm up before the high power runs. The engine was run at several different power settings, from idle to full power, and all parameters were within the manufacturer's specification limits. After approximately 30 minutes of run time, the engine was shut down and no anomalies were noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 CDT
Nearest AirportPerdido Winds Airpark (1nm N)
Runway35
Runway Length3100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmerican Legend Aircraft AL3 Undesignat
Tail NumberN156WB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · O-200-D · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Sprt · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time15:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data