# NTSB ATL07LA021: Tennyson Howard Baslee DR-1, N8092L, Macon, GA, November 24, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 24, 2006, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Macon, GA - Coordinates: 32.819721, -83.55722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8197&lon=-83.5572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64934 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64934/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA021 ## Probable cause The pilot/owner's improper design change which resulted in a blocked carburetor inlet and a loss of engine power. ## Analysis According to the pilot, he lined up on runway 10 for takeoff, applied full power, and climbed the airplane straight ahead to approximately 500 feet above ground level (agl) and turned crosswind. While on crosswind, he noticed the power was diminishing. He turned downwind, still at about 500 ft agl. At about three-fourths of the way on downwind, he turned the airplane toward runway 10. At this point, he stated that he was not going to be able to put it on the runway. He was losing altitude quickly and noticed that the only place to put down was in the woods just northwest of the airport. Examination of the airplane by an FAA Inspector found that the pilot had installed a sheet metal pan with baffles around and over the engine cylinders. The baffles directed ram air over the cylinders for cooling. However, by doing so he inadvertently blocked the carburetor from ram air which resulted in the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On November 24, 2006, at 1600 eastern standard time, a Tennyson Howard, Baslee DR-1 experimental airplane, N8092L, registered to a private individual and operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with trees while returning to land following a loss of engine power at the Macon Downtown Airport, Macon, Georgia. Visual meteorological condition prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The private pilot reported serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he lined up on runway 10 for takeoff, applied full power, and climbed the airplane straight ahead to approximately 500 feet above ground level (agl) and turned crosswind. While on crosswind, he noticed the power was diminishing. He turned downwind, still at about 500 ft agl. At about three-fourths of the way on downwind, he turned the airplane toward runway 10. At this point, he stated that he was not going to be able to put it on the runway. He was losing altitude quickly and noticed that the only place to put down was in the woods just northwest of the airport. After impacting, he egressed the cockpit. Damage consisted of the wings, and empennage. Examination of the airplane by an FAA Inspector found that the pilot had installed a sheet metal pan with baffles around and over the engine cylinders. The baffles directed ram air over the cylinders for cooling. However, by doing so he inadvertently blocked the carburetor from ram air. The pilot did not submit an NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator report. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(partial) (cause) - maintenance,design change - improper, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8092L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8092L), registered now, S/N F106AB (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Tennyson Howard Baslee DR-1 - Registry model: [Tennyson Howard BASLEE DR-1 FULL SCA](https://openairdocs.org/model/tennyson-howard-baslee-dr-1-full-sca) (registry code 056195G) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: F106AB - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: Volkswagen Conversion reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Howard W. Tennyson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2006, 1 hours before - Departed: MAC, Macon, GA - Airport: KMAC, Macon Downtown Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 200 total, 1 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: MCN ## 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 20061124025509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061124025509A), Nov 24, 2006: Tennys BASLEEDR1FUL, Macon, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 11/24/2006, at approximately 1515, aircraft N8092L took off and crashed into a wooded area on downwind leg due to loss of power. 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.