- Date
- November 28, 2009, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place
- St. Paul, MN
- Injuries
- 1 serious
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N4031Krusmark David Homer Searey
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 22, 2010
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Central Region
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20091128051769A
- Case key
- 75134
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff during the takeoff roll when he became aware of the engine not producing full power.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
During takeoff, the engine never reached full power. While about 18 feet above the runway, the pilot attempted to land. During the attempt, the pilot initiated a steep bank turn in order to avoid an airport perimeter fence. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was test run with a slave propeller and the engine developed normal power and RPM. The reason for the loss of partial engine power during takeoff could not be determined.
Factual narrative
On November 28, 2009, at 1145 central standard time, a Krusmark Searay experimental light-sport airplane, sustained minor damage during an aborted takeoff from Lake Elmo Airport, St. Paul, Minnesota. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant and registered owner, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he was planning on flying the airplane in the traffic pattern to practice takeoffs and landings. During takeoff from runway 32 (asphalt; 2,850 feet long by 75 feet wide), the engine never reached full power, and the pilot aborted the takeoff approximately 18 feet above the runway. During the attempted landing, the pilot initiated a steep bank turn in order to avoid an airport perimeter fence. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained minor damage to the left main landing gear, fuselage, and composite propeller. The pilot sustained fractures to two vertebrae in his neck and back. A review of the airplane's maintenance records showed the airplane underwent its most recent conditional inspection on November 1, 2008. The airframe and engine had accumulated 273 total hours. Examination of the E81 Subaru engine by a local mechanic and the pilot revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was test run with a slave propeller and the engine developed normal power and RPM. The reason for the loss of partial engine power during takeoff could not be determined.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4031
- Reported as
- Krusmark David Homer Searey
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 1MK225
- Airframe hours
- 273
- Engine
- Subaru ALL MDLS A/B, 400 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Graf David R
- Registered owner
- Graf David R
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Condition · November 1, 2008
- Departed
- 21D · St. Paul, MN
- Destination
- 21D · St. Paul, MN
- Airport
- 21D · Lake Elmo Airport, runway 32, 2,850 × 75 ft, asphalt
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 55
- Injuries
- Serious
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Sport pilot
- Last flight review
- July 20, 2009
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 757 total · 33 in this make and model · 664 as pilot in command · 35 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 50 °F
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2010, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 326 KB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.