# Accident 20140209003659A: Mahon Paul D CAPELLA SX, Spring, TX, February 9, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 9, 2014, 12:44 local time
- Place: Spring, TX
- Airport: David Wayne Hooks Memorial Air
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.0617° N, 95.5528° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0617&lon=-95.5528&mi=10
- Aircraft: N239PM, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N239PM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mahon Paul D CAPELLA SX (registry code 05630WJ, https://openairdocs.org/model/mahon-paul-d-capella-sx) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax SEE BOMBADIER (registry code 55555, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAHON PAUL D CAPELLA SX
- Reported engine: ROTAX SEE BOMBADIER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 8,000 total, 1 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN14LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA136) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140209003659A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRCRAFT LOST POWER AFTER TAKEOFF FROM DWH AT APPROXIMATELY 700 FEET. WITH REDUCED RPM THE PIC DID A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TOWARDS DWH AIRPORT.  AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.  THE PIC RECOGNIZED THAT THEY WOULD NOT MAKE THE AIRPORT AND TRIED TO LAND IN A FIELD.  THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO A FIELD AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT WHICH FLIPPED THE AIRCRAFT ON TO ITS BACK WHERE IT CAME TO A STOP.  DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIAL.  THE RIGHT WING WAS TORN OFF WITH THE SPAR TORN IN HALF, THE LEFT WING REMAINED ATTACHED.  ONE OF THE BLADES ON THE WOODEN PROPELLER WAS BROKEN OFF AND THE REMAINING BLADE HAD A SIGNIFICANT CRACK ALMOST THE ENTIRE LENGTH.  THE COWLING WAS DAMAGED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE NOSE AND THE FIRE WALL HAD POSSIBLE DAMAGE.  THE ROOF OF THE COCKPIT WAS PUSHED DOWN BENDING THE METAL SUPPORT TUBES (CAGE).

A MAINTENANCE INSPECTOR INSPECTED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND NO TECHNICAL ISSUES.  SUSPECTED CARBURETOR ICE.  TEMPERATURE AND DEWPOINT CREATED THE RIGHT CONDITIONS FOR CARBURETOR ICE TO DEVELOP.  THIS AIRCRAFT DOES NOT HAVE THE CARBURETOR HEAT FUNCTION TO USE IF CARBURETOR ICE DEVELOPS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN14LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA136), Feb 9, 2014: Mahon Paul D Capella XS (N239PM), Houston, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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