# Accident 20160804018369A: Gordon Gilchrist PA14 EXP, Sparta, MI, August 4, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 4, 2016, 20:20 local time
- Place: Sparta, MI
- Airport: Paul C. Miller-Sparta
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.1275° N, 85.6792° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1275&lon=-85.6792&mi=10
- Aircraft: N18PG, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18PG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Gordon Gilchrist PA14 EXP (registry code 05635BK, https://openairdocs.org/model/gordon-gilchrist-pa14-exp) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Aerosport O-375-A2A (registry code 01399, https://openairdocs.org/engine/aerosport-o-375-a2a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GORDON GILCHRIST PA14 EXP
- Reported engine: AEROSPORT O-375-A1A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 900 total, 46 in this make and model, 46 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN16LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA305) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160804018369A

## Narrative

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

ON AUGUST 4, 2016 ABOUT 2020 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, AN EXPERIMENTAL AMATEUR BUILT PA-14EXP AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT, N18PH, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT STRUCK THE SPARTA MICHIGAN AIRPORT PERIMETER FENCE AND NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING.   THE PILOT STATED THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 25.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. 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.

## 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 CEN16LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA305), Aug 4, 2016: Gilchrist PA14EXP (N18PG), Sparta, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, since postaccident examination revealed no malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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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