# NTSB ATL99LA012: AeroSport WS-15-2, N88760, Parkton, NC, November 7, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 1998, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Parkton, NC - Coordinates: 34.899757, -79.010383 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8998&lon=-79.0104&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45271 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45271/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA012 ## Probable cause The collapse of the carburetor heat box hose which starved the carburetor of air resulting in a partial loss of power, forced landing and nose over. Factors were the weeds and stocky stubble in the forced landing zone. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - carburetor heat,air box - collapsed - induction air control/system - blocked(partial) - Nose over, landing - roll - fuselage - bent - vertical stabilizer - compression ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the take off climb, approximately 50 feet above ground level, engine rpm dropped from 3000 rpm to about 2000 rpm, and altitude could not be maintained. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft to avoid obstructions ahead and performed a forced landing in a field adjacent to the runway. The aircraft nosed over on the landing roll, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot exited the aircraft with no injuries. Post crash examination of the engine revealed that the carburetor heat was in the 'on' position. The wires that hold the carburetor heat box hose open were found bunched toward the bottom of the inlet to the box, allowing the hose to collapse, and starving the carburetor of air. ## Factual narrative On November 7, 1998 about 1255 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur built Aerosport WS-15-2 Quail, N88760, nosed over adjacent to Hall Field Airport near Parkton, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the private pilot/owner under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane received substantial damage. According to the pilot, during the take off climb, approximately 50 feet above ground level, engine rpm dropped from 3000 rpm to about 2000 rpm, and altitude could not be maintained. With no runway remaining and obstructions ahead, the pilot maneuvered and performed a forced landing in a field adjacent to the runway where the airplane nosed over on the landing roll. The pilot exited the aircraft with no injuries. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who visited the site, substantial damage was done to the aircraft consisting of, fuselage badly crinkled and bent midway between the aft wing and stabilizer, and the vertical stabilizer was crushed at the top quarter. Other damage consisted of, wooden propeller broken in half, nose wheel broken off, gouges and dents in the wings, and light damage to the rudder. The inspector found the carburetor heat in the "on" position and stated, the wires that hold the carburetor heat box hose open were found in a bunch toward the bottom of the inlet to the box. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88760](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88760), registered now, S/N 2 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AeroSport WS-15-2 - Registry model: [Aerosport WS-15-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerosport-ws-15-2) (registry code 0562698) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2 - Airframe hours: 560 - Engines: Volkswagen 043101102A 36 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Max Trevis Adams - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1998, 11 hours before - Destination: 4W3, FUQUAY-ANGIER, NC - Airport: 32NC, Hall Field Airport, runway 3, 2,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 298 total, 60 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FAY, 12 nm away ## 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 19981107031869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981107031869A), Nov 7, 1998: Amtr AEROSPTQUAIL, Parkton, NC, Substantial damage. Acft engine quit on take-off. (.4) according to the pilot, during the take off climb, approximately 50 feet above ground level, engine RPM dropped from 3000… 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.