# NTSB CEN11LA488: Dixon Volksplane VP-1, N341MD, Jackson, MI, July 16, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 2011, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Jackson, MI - Coordinates: 42.259723, -84.459167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2597&lon=-84.4592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-DTW-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81168 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA488 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81168/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA488 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Dixon Bartley M VOLKSPLANE VP-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=056266C), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Dixon Bartley M VOLKSPLANE VP-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=056266C), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/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 (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Dixon Bartley M VOLKSPLANE VP-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=056266C), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dixon Bartley M VOLKSPLANE VP-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056266C), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The accident occurred during the airplane’s first flight. The pilot reported the airplane seemed sluggish during the takeoff roll, but he thought it was due to the warm outside temperature. The airplane lifted off halfway down the 4,000-foot-long runway. The pilot reported that the airplane was out of ground effect when it reached the end of the runway, at which time the airspeed and engine power began to decrease. The pilot initiated a turn to return to the airport, during which the airplane stalled and contacted a pole barn before impacting the ground. A postaccident inspection of the engine did not reveal any failures or malfunctions that would have resulted in the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 2011, at 1930 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Dixon Volksplane VP-1, N341MD, collided with a barn following a partial loss of engine power on takeoff from the Jackson County Airport (JXN), Jackson, Michigan. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he was making the first flight in the airplane which was built by someone else. He stated that he inspected the airplane and paperwork, and he felt the airplane was satisfactory to fly. The pilot was cleared for takeoff on runway 32 and the winds were calm. He stated the takeoff roll seemed sluggish, but he thought it was due to the warm outside temperature. The airplane lifted off about halfway down the 4,000 foot long runway. He stated the airplane was significantly left wing heavy, but he was able to maintain control with the application of right aileron. The airplane was out of ground effect when he reached the end of the runway at which point the airspeed and engine rpm were decreasing very slowly. The pilot made a shallow turn in an attempt to land on runway 26. The engine continued to lose power and the airplane stalled at tree top height. The left wing contacted a pole barn which spun the airplane around prior to it contacting the ground resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The Volkswagen engine was equipped with dual carburetors and an oil cooler. The mixture control setting was preset and was not adjustable from the cockpit. The airplane owner stated that he performed a teardown inspection on the engine following the accident and he was not able to identify any mechanical failures/malfunctions that would have resulted in the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N341MD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N341MD-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N A606D1X-2006, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DIXON VOLKSPLANE VP-1 - Registry model: [Dixon Bartley M VOLKSPLANE VP-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/dixon-bartley-m-volksplane-vp-1) (registry code 056266C) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: A606D1X-2006 - Airframe hours: 0 - Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 1600cc 36 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Operator: Dixon Bartley M - Registered owner: Dixon Bartley M - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 9, 2011, 0 hours before - Departed: JXN, Jackson, MI - Destination: JXN, Jackson, MI - Airport: JXN, Jackson County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 13,000 total, 0 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: JXN ## 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 20110716018239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110716018239A), Jul 16, 2011: Dixon Bartley M VOLKSPLANE VP-1, Jackson, MI, Destroyed. On 7/16/2011, approx.1900 local time was to be the maiden flight of the experimental home built volksplane, N341MD. The aircraft was built in 2008 and issued… 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.