# NTSB CEN11CA047: Aardema Robert John 1 Aardema RAG WNG SP, N768BA, Oshtemo, MI, October 29, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 29, 2010, 11:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Oshtemo, MI - Coordinates: 42.288887, -85.75 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2889&lon=-85.7500&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 April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids - NTSB case key (mKey): 77706 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77706/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77706 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA047 ## Probable cause The failure of the ignition system wiring, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: ignition system wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Aardema Robert John 1 AARDEMA RAG WNG SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497/cases.md?model=05607S1), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497/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: [Aardema Robert John 1 AARDEMA RAG WNG SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05607S1), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aardema Robert John 1 AARDEMA RAG WNG SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05607S1), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, just after takeoff and during the initial climb, the airplane's engine suddenly lost power when the airplane was about 400 feet above the ground. The pilot attempted to return to the departure runway but realized that he did not have sufficient altitude. The airplane impacted trees and the ground in a wooded area near the runway. All of the biplane's wing surfaces were fragmented during the accident sequence and the fuselage came to rest nose down. The airplane was powered by a converted automobile engine. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the ignition high voltage coil wire had separated from the coil. When the wire was reinserted into the coil, the engine started normally. The coil wire was held in place by a friction fit; no other means of retention was provided. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that just after takeoff and during the initial climb, the airplane's engine suddenly lost power and the propeller stopped. The airplane's altitude when the power loss occurred was about 400 feet above the ground. The pilot attempted to return to the departure runway but realized that he did not have sufficient altitude. The airplane impacted trees and the ground in a wooded area near the runway. All of the biplane's wing surfaces were fragmented during the accident and the fuselage came to rest nose down. The airplane was powered by a converted automobile engine. Examination of the airplane revealed that the ignition high voltage coil wire had separated from the coil. The coil wire was re-inserted into the coil and the engine was able to be started. The engine could not be run to full power due to the fragmented propeller. The coil wire was held in place by a friction fit. No other means of retention was provided. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N768BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N768BA-2011-03-16), registration cancelled 2011-03-16, S/N 1, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AARDEMA ROBERT JOHN 1 AARDEMA RAG WNG SP - Registry model: [Aardema Robert John 1 AARDEMA RAG WNG SP](https://openairdocs.org/model/aardema-robert-john-1-aardema-rag-wng-sp) (registry code 05607S1) (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: 1 - Airframe hours: 89 - Engines: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 12, 2010, 4 hours before - Departed: 4N0, Oshtemo, MI - Destination: 4N0, Oshtemo, MI - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 4N0, Newman's Airport, runway 36, 2,697 × 125 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 5,450 total, 90 in this make and model, 4,700 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F ## 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 20101029049249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101029049249A), Oct 29, 2010: Aardema Rob 1 AARDEMA R, Oshtemo Twp, MI, Substantial damage. On climb out after t.o. on rwy 36, at approx. 300 ft. AGL the engine quit. The pilot initiated a 180 turn back to the airport and impacted trees approx. 100… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77706. 834 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 834 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340447&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.