CEN10LA064

NTSB accident investigation · Krusmark David Homer Searey · St. Paul, MN · November 28, 2009

Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
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.

Power plantAircraft › Aircraft power plant · MalfunctionAll aircraft: 198 casesProbable cause
Not determinedNot determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determinedAll aircraft: 2,247 casesProbable cause

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.