# NTSB ANC22LA011: Larry Bingham LB-1, N555LB, Haines, AK, December 15, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 15, 2021, 09:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Haines, AK - Coordinates: 59.403056, -136.01944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.4031&lon=-136.0194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 104477 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC22LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104477/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104477 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA011 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information, which resulted in a precautionary landing and impact with snow. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Larry Bingham LB-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05640KA), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Larry Bingham LB-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05640KA), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Larry Bingham LB-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=05640KA), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Larry Bingham LB-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05640KA), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis After performing a preflight inspection and a successful run-up of the engine, the pilot initiated a takeoff. After becoming airborne, the engine “faltered.” The pilot lowered the nose, decreased the flaps, and confirmed that the throttle was set at the full power position, but the airplane continued to descend. During a precautionary landing, the airplane bounced; on the second touchdown the tires sunk into the snow and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The pilot reported that he did not believe there was any type of internal engine failure. A postaccident engine run revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the weather conditions found that they were not conducive to carburetor ice. A reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information. ## Factual narrative On December 15, 2021, about 0920 Alaska Standard Time, an experimental amateur built LB-1, N555LB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Haines, Alaska. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, after preheating the airplane, performing a preflight, and doing a successful run-up of the engine, which included checking the carburetor heat, he initiated a takeoff. During the initial climb he “went to one notch of flaps and immediately the engine faltered.” He “pushed the nose over and re-set to two notches of flaps.” He confirmed the throttle was in the full power position, but the airplane continued to descend. The pilot made a precautionary landing in the snow between tree stump piles. During the landing, the airplane touched down and bounced; on the second touchdown, the tires sunk into the snow, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The pilot and passenger were able to egress without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that he cut the fuel lines while removing the wings from the airplane for postaccident recovery. He reported the fuel color was blue with no contamination or abnormalities. According to the pilot, there were 30 gallons of 100LL fuel onboard the airplane before he took off. He also reported that he did not believe there was any type of internal engine failure. A postaccident examination and engine run revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS) model sounding was created for 0900 for the accident location and had a modeled surface elevation at 3,143 ft mean sea level (msl). At an elevation of 3,143 ft msl, the GDAS sounding indicated the wind was from 023° at 6 kts, the temperature was 2.3° F, and the dewpoint was -2.2° F, with a relative humidity of 81 percent. According to Federal Aviation Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, the temperature and dewpoint were not conducive for carburetor ice. Additional data indicated light rime icing. The pilot reported that the weather observation facility at the Haines Airport (PAHN) from 0700 local up to the time of the flight reported a temperature of 0° F. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N555LB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N555LB), registered now, S/N 01, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Larry Bingham LB-1 - Registry model: [Larry Bingham LB-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/larry-bingham-lb-1) (registry code 05640KA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A4P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a4p) (registry code 42278, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01 - Year built: 2021 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Destination: PAJN, Juneau, AK - Airport: 9AA9, Airkat Airpark, runway 18, 1,200 × 100 ft, snow - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 12, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,850 total, 45 in this make and model, 8,600 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 18 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 16 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: PAGY, 21 nm away - METAR: PAGY 151753Z AUTO 04018G27KT 10SM FEW070 BKN085 M09/M18 A3001 RMK AO2 PK WND 05031/1701 SLP161 T10941183 11083 21100 51028 TSNO $ ## 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 20211215021859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211215021859A), Dec 15, 2021: Larry Bingham LB-1, Haines, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot reported difficulty developing engine power shortly after take off. As he begin to climb the engine begin to immediately falter. The pilot nosed the… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104477. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13832185&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13831556&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Timeline%20for%20N555LB%20landing%20off%20end%20of%20runway-Rel.pdf - Gdas sounding text (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13850896&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=GDAS%20Sounding%20Text-Rel.pdf - Pilot email roc (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13831826&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Email%20ROC-Rel.pdf - FAA email (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13850632&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Email_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine examination (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 483 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13850275&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Accident picture (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 656 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14608739&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Picture-Rel.pdf 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.