# NTSB CEN11CA002: Gingerich Alton & Slagel Dean Christavia MK 1, N9049S, Nappanee, IN, October 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 1, 2010, 12:09 local (16:09 UTC) - Place: Nappanee, IN - Coordinates: 41.446109, -85.934722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4461&lon=-85.9347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-South Bend FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77489 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77489/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77489 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA002 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Gingerich Alton & Slagel Dean CHRISTAVIA MK 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=056176H), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Gingerich Alton & Slagel Dean CHRISTAVIA MK 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=056176H), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Gingerich Alton & Slagel Dean CHRISTAVIA MK 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056176H), [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: [Gingerich Alton & Slagel Dean CHRISTAVIA MK 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056176H), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after takeoff, about 250 feet above ground level (agl), the engine experienced a total loss of power. He reduced the throttle to idle and attempted to land on the runway; however, there was not enough distance remaining. He subsequently pushed the throttle forward and the engine regained power. As the airplane reached approximately 250 feet agl, the engine lost power again. The pilot subsequently set up for a forced landing to a harvested corn field immediately west of the airport. The airplane nosed over during the emergency landing. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after takeoff, about 250 feet above ground level (agl), the engine "suddenly cut out." He reduced the throttle to idle and attempted to land on the runway; however, there was not enough distance remaining. He subsequently pushed the throttle forward and the engine regained power. As the airplane reached approximately 250 feet agl, the engine lost power again. The pilot subsequently set up for a forced landing to a harvested corn field immediately west of the airport. The airplane nosed over during the emergency landing. A post accident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a pre-impact failure or malfunction. The pilot noted that his intention was to stay in the airport traffic pattern in order to practice takeoffs and landings because it had been approximately 6 months since he had flown the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9049S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9049S), registered now, S/N 1001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GINGERICH ALTON & SLAGEL DEAN CHRISTAVIA MK 1 - Registry model: [Gingerich Alton & Slagel Dean CHRISTAVIA MK 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/gingerich-alton-slagel-dean-christavia-mk-1) (registry code 056176H) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1001 - Airframe hours: 73 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 2009 - Departed: C03, Nappanee, IN - Destination: C03, Nappanee, IN - Airport: C03, Nappanee Muni, runway 27, 3,675 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; flight hours: 300 total, 29 in this make and model, 297 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: GSH, 8 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 20101001047959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101001047959A), Oct 1, 2010: Gingerich A CHRISTAVIA, Nappanee, IN, Substantial damage. Block 31H value is o. 1 was placed in this block because 0 is not accepted, however the actual value is 0.aircraft lost power shortly after takeoff and made an… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77489. 264 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 264 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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. --- 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.