# NTSB ANC04LA019: Gothard Super Cuby, N3354B, Palmer, AK, January 4, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 4, 2004, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.616943, -149.321395 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6169&lon=-149.3214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage, FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 58592 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC04LA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58592/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA019 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power after takeoff for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing and in-flight collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The ski-equipped experimental airplane lost all engine power shortly after takeoff from a frozen lake and descended into trees. The airplane received structural damage to the left wing and spar, and the pilot received minor injuries. The pilot did not provide any information relating to the preaccident mechanical condition of the airplane, or what may have precipitated the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On January 4, 2004, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a ski-equipped, experimental Gothard Super Cuby airplane, N3354B, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees after a loss of engine power during takeoff at Anderson Lake, about five miles northwest of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal local flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo airline transport pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on January 4, the FAA aviation safety inspector who responded to the accident site, said witnesses told him the airplane had not been flown for several months. They said the pilot had installed the snow skis and preflighted the airplane just prior to the takeoff. The inspector was told the airplane took off and climbed about 80 feet above ground level before a complete loss of engine power occurred, and then descended into trees. The inspector said the airplane sustained damage to the left wing and spar, and that the pilot was transported to the hospital. In a written statement to the NTSB dated January 12, 2004, the pilot stated he completed a thorough preflight inspection, and that a loss of power after takeoff necessitated an emergency landing. He reported the airplane received substantial damage to the left wing spar and strut. The pilot did not provide any information relating to the preaccident mechanical condition of the airplane, or what may have precipitated the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3354B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3354B-2015-03-12), registration cancelled 2015-03-12, S/N 1402, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gothard Super Cuby - Registry model: [Gothard E J SUPER CUBY](https://openairdocs.org/model/gothard-e-j-super-cuby) (registry code 05646BY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1402 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerome Scholze - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 0AK1, Anderson Lake, AK - Destination: 0AK1, Anderson Lake, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 1, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 12,750 total, 60 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040104000799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040104000799A), Jan 4, 2004: Amtr SUPERCUBY, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 4th, 2004, at approximately 15:20 Alaska daylight time, an experimental gothard super cuby airplane, (N3354B s/n 1402), with ski equipment… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.