# NTSB CEN14CA380: Dantonio 404, N482FD, Wichita Falls, TX, July 14, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2014, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Wichita Falls, TX - Coordinates: 33.947498, -98.616111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9475&lon=-98.6161&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89705 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA380 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89705/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89705 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA380 ## Probable cause The separation of a spark plug wire resulting in a loss of engine power during climb out and a subsequent forced landing on a field containing trees. ## 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: [David R Dantonio 404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497/cases.md?model=05632AV), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057497/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [David R Dantonio 404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05632AV), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [David R Dantonio 404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05632AV), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [David R Dantonio 404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05632AV), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [David R Dantonio 404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05632AV), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [David R Dantonio 404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05632AV), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot took off for a local flight in his experimental amateur-built biplane. During climb out, near 250 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field that contained small trees. The lower wing sustained substantial damage on impact with a tree. An examination of the engine revealed that a spark plug wire had detached from its spark plug's terminal. The pilot's safety recommendation stated that installing an Adel clamp on one of the cylinder bolts will prevent the spark plug wire from vibrating off the spark plug terminal. ## Factual narrative The pilot took off for a local flight in his experimental amateur-built biplane. During climb out, near 250 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field that contained small trees. The lower wing sustained substantial damage on impact with a tree. An examination of the engine revealed that a spark plug wire had detached from its spark plug's terminal. The pilot's safety recommendation stated that installing an Adel clamp on one of the cylinder bolts will prevent the spark plug wire from vibrating off the spark plug terminal. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N482FD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N482FD), registered now, S/N X69 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DANTONIO 404 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [David R Dantonio 404](https://openairdocs.org/model/david-r-dantonio-404) (registry code 05632AV) (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: X69 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 44 - Engines: Polaris reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 8, 2013 - Departed: F14, Wichita Falls, TX - Destination: F14, Wichita Falls, TX - Airport: F14, Wichita Valley ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 6, 2014; seat: single; flight hours: 218 total, 44 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: CWC, 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 20140714011509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140714011509A), Jul 14, 2014: David R Dantonio 404, Iowa Park, TX, Substantial damage. On July 14, 2014, at 1145 local time, an amateur built experimental fisher model 404 aircraft bearing registration number N482FD, registered to the private… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89705. 590 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 355 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417724&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Fisher Products 404 Information (item 2, .PDF, 235 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417725&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fisher%20Products%20404%20Information-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. --- 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.