# NTSB CEN10LA498: Freeman Super Koala, N220FF, Traverse City, MI, August 24, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 2010, 11:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Traverse City, MI
- Coordinates: 44.694442, -85.696662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6944&lon=-85.6967&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 11, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Austrian Federal Office of Transport, Rotech Flight Safety Ltd., Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77089
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA498
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77089/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77089
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA498

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to the improper torquing of the number one cylinder's spark plug as a result of inadequate maintenance.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Freeman Lloyd C SUPER KOALA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056236A), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Ignition system: spark plugs/igniters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Freeman Lloyd C SUPER KOALA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421/cases.md?model=056236A), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421/cases.md)
- [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Freeman Lloyd C SUPER KOALA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=056236A), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Freeman Lloyd C SUPER KOALA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056236A), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Freeman Lloyd C SUPER KOALA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056236A), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported a loss of engine power during cruise flight. He elected to land in the only open space available, which was comprised of rising terrain. During the approach to the field, the left wing dropped and the airplane turned to the left before impact. A postaccident examination of the number one cylinder exhaust port revealed an accumulation of carbon. The number one cylinder’s spark plug could be loosened by hand in indication that it was not properly secured prior to impact; removal of that plug revealed that it exhibited a fouled appearance. The engine's maintenance manual indicated that the spark plugs are to be tightened on a cold engine to 240-inch pounds of torque. The airplane’s airworthiness was maintained by the owner/pilot under a conditional maintenance program.

## Factual narrative

On August 24, 2010, about 1110 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Freeman Super Koala airplane, N220FF, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Traverse City, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The local flight originated from the Cherry Capital Airport, near Traverse City, Michigan, about 1050. The pilot reported that during the climb he reduced power to 6,000 rpm about three to four minutes after takeoff. The pilot switched the fuel tank selector from the main tank to the auxiliary tank. The engine’s rpms subsequently dropped from 6,000 to 2,000 rpm. He switched the fuel tank selector back to the main tank and the engine’s rpms did not increase. He applied the choke and no increase in engine rpms was observed. According to the pilot, he attempted to execute a forced landing to the “only open space available.” The area which the pilot picked to perform the forced landing had rising terrain. He said that the left wing dropped and the airplane turned about 55 degrees to the left before impact. The pilot stated that the airplane Hobbs meter accumulated 0.4 hour since the start of the flight. According to the pilot, the airplane had accumulated 49.5 hours of total airframe time at the time of the accident. The airplane’s airworthiness was maintained by the owner/pilot under a conditional maintenance program and the last conditional inspection was performed on February 18, 2010. The airplane was powered by a two cylinder, two-stroke, 50-horsepower Rotax 503 UL engine with serial number 360-5697. The engine was sold to the airplane's kit manufacturer in March of 1986 and according to the pilot, it had not been overhauled. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. Engine control continuity was established. The engine’s fuel filters were clean. The number one cylinder exhaust port exhibited an accumulation of carbon. The number one cylinder’s spark plug could be loosened by hand and it exhibited a fouled appearance when it was removed. The engine’s maintenance manual included an itemized maintenance plan that listed a "general overhaul of the engine" as planned and necessary maintenance. A supplemental note indicated that the overhaul is to be carried out every 5 years or every 300 hours, whichever comes first. The maintenance manual further indicated that the spark plugs are to be tightened on a cold engine to 240-inch pounds of torque.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N220FF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N220FF-2022-07-02), registration cancelled 2022-07-02, S/N 020, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FREEMAN SUPER KOALA
- Registry model: [Freeman Lloyd C SUPER KOALA](https://openairdocs.org/model/freeman-lloyd-c-super-koala) (registry code 056236A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 503DCSI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503dcsi) (registry code 55567, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 020
- Airframe hours: 50
- Engines: ROTAX 503 UL 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, February 18, 2010
- Departed: TVC, Traverse City, MI
- Destination: TVC, Traverse City, MI
- Airport: TVC, Cherry Capital Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 4, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,872 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,789 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 5 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 20100824044739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100824044739A), Aug 24, 2010: Freeman Llo SUPER KOALA, Traverse City, MI, Substantial damage. Pilot reported aircraft lost engine power . He attemted an emergency landing in a open field, but could not clear a hill. Aircraft impacted the ground and…

## Other investigations on N220FF (1)

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.

- [NTSB CEN19LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA219), Jul 6, 2019: Fisher Flying Products Super Koala (N220FF), Hazen, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane owner's and mechanic's improper rigging and cable tension of the aileron control system, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 17, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77089. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.

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