# NTSB CEN15LA326: Eagle Eagle DW 1, N8806B, Hector, MN, July 29, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 2015, 20:25 local (Jul 29, 2015, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: Hector, MN
- Coordinates: 44.731109, -94.711669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7311&lon=-94.7117&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91662
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA326
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91662/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91662
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA326

## Probable cause

The intermittent partial loss of engine power, which resulted in a lower-than-expected approach glidepath and impact with terrain short of the runway. The reason for the intermittent partial loss of engine power could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## 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: [Eagle EAGLE DW-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=3230203), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Eagle EAGLE DW-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3230203), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Eagle EAGLE DW-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=3230203), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Eagle EAGLE DW-1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3230203), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that new spray booms had been installed on the airplane and that he was returning to the airport after performing an aerial application test flight. During final approach for landing, the pilot noticed that the airplane was going to be short of the intended landing point, so he advanced the engine throttle to reestablish a proper glidepath. The engine did not respond as expected, so the pilot continued to advance the throttle; however, the engine still did not respond as expected. The pilot realized that the airplane was not going to reach the runway, so he applied maximum throttle, which resulted in the engine surging. He then increased the angle-of-attack in an attempt to gain maximum lift. However, the airplane's descent rate increased, and the spray booms subsequently contacted the bean field. The airplane then impacted the bean field, bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have caused the intermittent partial power loss.

## Factual narrative

On July 28, 2015, at 2025 central daylight time, an Eagle Aircraft Company Eagle DW 1, N8806B, impacted terrain short of the runway at Hector Municipal Airport (1D6), Hector, Minnesota. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and rudder. The airplane was registered to and operated by Eagle LLC, as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight departed 1D6 at 1955. The pilot performed a 30-minute post maintenance test flight after new spray booms were installed on the airplane, and executed a normal traffic pattern approach to landing. During final approach, the pilot noticed the airplane was going to be short of the intended landing point, so the pilot advanced the engine throttle to reestablish a proper glide path. The pilot stated the engine did not respond as he expected, so he continued to advance the throttle. The continued advancement of the engine throttle did not immediately change the engine power output. Realizing the airplane may land short of the runway, the pilot applied maximum throttle. The engine surged and the pilot could feel the increase in power. The pilot then noticed the airplane was going to be short of the runway so he increased the angle of attack in an attempt to gain maximum lift. The airplane developed an unanticipated increased sink rate and the spray booms contacted the bean field. The airplane impacted the bean field, bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8806B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8806B-2021-01-11), registration cancelled 2021-01-11, S/N DW-1-0039-81 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EAGLE AIRCRAFT CO EAGLE DW 1
- Registry model: [Eagle EAGLE DW-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/eagle-eagle-dw-1) (registry code 3230203) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: DW-1-0039-81
- Year built: 1981
- Airframe hours: 2262
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-M1B5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2015
- Departed: 1D6, Hector, MN
- Destination: 1D6, Hector, MN
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight engineer, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2015; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,170 total, 125 in this make and model, 2,570 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 20150728012509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150728012509A), Jul 28, 2015: Eagle Aircraft Co EAGLE DW-1, Hector, MN, Substantial damage. The aircraft was on a test flight checking the recently installed spray bars. Upon return to airport, pilot allowed aircraft to descend below glide path during…

## Other investigations on N8806B (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC88LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA128), Jul 17, 1988: Eagle DW-1 (N8806B), Holdrege, NE, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91662. 2.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431888&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431889&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-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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