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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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NTSB Report

November 17, 2020 · Co Z COZY IV · N82V

Compton, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 17, 2020
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Compton, CA
Aircraft
Co Z COZY IV (2004)
Tail Number
N82V
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR21LA071

Approximately 3 minutes after departure, at an altitude of 1,500 ft, the airplane’s engine experienced a partial loss of power, and the pilot initiated a return to the airport. During the landing roll, the airplane bounced, veered off the runway, and ground looped. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the No. 2 cylinder bottom spark plug was laying loose in the engine compartment with the ignition lead still attached. The spark plug threads and corresponding threads in the cylinder displayed no signs of damage, which was consistent with the improper installation of the spark plug. The engine was repaired about 11 months before the accident, which is likely when the spark plug was improperly installed. The airplane accumulated approximately 8 hours since the maintenance.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Ignition system-Spark plugs/igniters-Not installed/available

Full Narrative

On November 17, 2020, about 1418 Pacific standard time, an experimental amateur-built Co-Z COZY airplane, N82V, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident in Compton, California. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, approximately 3 minutes after departure, at an altitude of 1,500 ft., the engine started to “run rough” so he decided to return to the airport. During the landing roll, the airplane bounced, veered off the runway, and ground looped. The left main landing gear separated from the airplane during the accident sequence. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that when he opened the engine cowling after the accident, he noticed a spark plug on the bottom of the engine compartment. A postaccident examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector confirmed the No. 2 cylinder bottom spark plug was laying loose in the engine compartment with the ignition lead still attached. The spark plug threads and corresponding threads in the cylinder displayed no signs of damage. The engine was repaired in December 2019 and reinstalled on the airplane. The airplane accumulated approximately 8 hours since the maintenance.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:18 PST
Nearest AirportCompton/Woodley (1nm N)
Runway25L
Runway Length3322 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCo Z COZY IV
Tail NumberN82V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 83 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data