# NTSB CEN11LA618: Vicari Waiex, N100VY, Marion, IL, September 2, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 2011, 09:28 local (14:28 UTC)
- Place: Marion, IL
- Coordinates: 37.755001, -89.011108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7550&lon=-89.0111&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 20, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Springfield FSDO
- SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 81708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA618
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81708/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81708
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA618

## Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power during initial climb 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 · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Vicari Victor V WAIEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=05630GK), [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: [Vicari Victor V WAIEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05630GK), [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 (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Vicari Victor V WAIEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05630GK), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Vicari Victor V WAIEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05630GK), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Vicari Victor V WAIEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=05630GK), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The accident occurred during initial flight testing of the experimental amateur-built airplane. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies with the engine during a before-takeoff engine check or when he applied power for takeoff. He stated that shortly after liftoff he perceived that the engine was not producing maximum takeoff power and that the engine tachometer was indicating several hundred rpm lower than expected. Since there was insufficient runway remaining to land safely, he elected to land on the airport's crossing runway. The left wingtip collided with terrain as he maneuvered the airplane toward the crossing runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Additionally, the accident engine demonstrated the ability to produce rated horsepower during a postaccident operational test run. Although the potential for serious carburetor icing existed while operating at glide power, the postaccident investigation was unable to conclusively determine if carburetor icing had contributed to the partial loss of engine power.

## Factual narrative

On September 2, 2011, at 0928 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vicari model Waiex airplane, N100VY, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing shortly after takeoff from Williamson County Regional Airport (KMWA), Marion, Illinois. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The accident airplane was issued an airworthiness certificate on June 20, 2011, by a designated airworthiness representative, and had completed 5 hours of the required 40 hours of flight testing stipulated by its operating limitations. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies with the engine operation during a before-takeoff engine check or when he applied power for takeoff. He stated that shortly after liftoff he perceived that the engine was not producing maximum takeoff power and that the engine tachometer was indicating several hundred rpm lower than expected. Since there was insufficient runway remaining to land safely, he elected to land on the airport's crossing runway. The left wingtip collided with terrain as he maneuvered the airplane toward the crossing runway. The airplane subsequently came to rest in a grassy area alongside the intended runway. The pilot was able to taxi the airplane back to the ramp after the accident. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the outboard section of the left main wing spar and the left wingtip closeout-rib. The engine, a Jabiru model 3300-A, serial number 33A-1806, had accumulated 8 hours since being manufactured on June 15, 2008. Mechanical continuity was confirmed from the cockpit engine controls to their respective engine components during a postaccident examination. Additionally, the accident engine demonstrated the ability to produce rated horsepower during a postaccident operational test run. At 0932, the airport's automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 190 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 15 miles; sky clear; temperature 31 degrees Celsius; dew point 18 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 30.05 inches of mercury. The carburetor icing probability chart included in Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, indicated that there was a potential for serious carburetor icing while operating at glide power. However, the postaccident investigation was unable to conclusively determine if carburetor icing had contributed to the partial loss of engine power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N100VY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N100VY), registered now, S/N W0100, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Vicari Waiex
- Registry model: [Vicari Victor V WAIEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/vicari-victor-v-waiex) (registry code 05630GK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34801, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: W0100
- Airframe hours: 5
- Engines: Jabiru 3300-A 120 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, June 20, 2011
- Departed: KMWA, Marion, IL
- Destination: KMWA, Marion, IL
- Airport: KMWA, Williamson County Regional, runway 20, 8,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review April 10, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 615 total, 5 in this make and model, 448 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KMWA

## 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 20110902018449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110902018449A), Sep 2, 2011: Vicari Victor V WAIEX, Marion, IL, Substantial damage. The aircraft departed runway 20 and climbed to 100 feet. The aircraft turned toward the ramp at taxiway b then touched down on taxiway B2 near runway 11/29.…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81708. 882 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 433 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360958&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360959&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Air Traffic Controller Statement (item 3, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360960&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Air%20Traffic%20Controller%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360961&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports (item 5, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360962&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF
- Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (item 6, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360963&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Chart-Master.PDF
- Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention (item 7, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Special%20Airworthiness%20Information%20Bulletin%20No.%20CE-09-35,%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Prevention-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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