# NTSB CEN20LA017: Socata TB 30 Epsilon, N50TB, Kalamazoo, MI, November 1, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 1, 2019, 16:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Kalamazoo, MI - Coordinates: 42.234443, -85.551666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2344&lon=-85.5517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100519 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100519/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100519 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA017 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the pilot’s attempted forced landing at low altitude and impact with terrain. ## 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: [Socata TB 30 EPSILON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=8680601), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Socata TB 30 EPSILON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=8680601), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Socata TB 30 EPSILON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680601), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Socata TB 30 EPSILON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=8680601), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Socata TB 30 EPSILON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=8680601), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Socata TB 30 EPSILON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=8680601), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Socata TB 30 EPSILON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=8680601), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Socata TB 30 EPSILON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=8680601), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Socata TB 30 EPSILON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8680601), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, during the takeoff roll, the engine noise and airplane acceleration were normal; however, as the airplane climbed through 300 to 400 ft above ground level, the engine began to lose power, and the airplane could not maintain altitude. The pilot said that as the airplane neared the ground, he attempted to reduce the descent rate by flaring as much as possible, but the airplane stalled and impacted the ground with a “great deal of force” and slid to a stop, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination revealed no fuel in the fuel supply line leading to the engine for undetermined reasons. No other anomalies were noted during the examination, but a comprehensive engine exam was not performed, and the reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On November 1, 2019, at 1635 eastern daylight time, a Socata TB-30 Epislon, N50TB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Kalamazoo, Michigan. The pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that, during the takeoff roll, the engine noise and airplane acceleration were normal. The airplane lifted off the runway and the pilot retracted the flaps, retracted the landing gear, and turned the electric fuel pump off. While the airplane climbed through 300 to 400 ft above ground level, the engine began to lose power and the airplane could not maintain altitude. The pilot thought that he could perform a forced landing on runway 9 or its taxiway but chose to land on the taxiway to avoid trees, building, and roads along the glidepath. The pilot stated that the flaps were not extended because did not want to increase drag. During the turn, the stall warning horn annunciated due to the high bank angle and low airspeed. The pilot lowered the airplane nose to maintain airspeed, but a “significant” descent rate developed, and the airplane did not have enough altitude to reach the taxiway. The pilot then decided to land on a grass area with the landing gear retracted because he did not want to risk flipping the airplane over on soft ground during landing. The pilot stated that, as the airplane neared the ground, he attempted to reduce the descent rate by flaring as much as possible, but with reduced airspeed, the airplane stalled again. The airplane impacted the ground with a “great deal of force” and slid to a stop. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The left wing fuel tank was broken open and contained unusable fuel. The right fuel tank was full of fuel. The propeller exhibited scratching and aft bending. The fuel supply line leading from the firewall to the engine contained no fuel. The spark plugs exhibited coloration consistent with normal combustion. The engine did not exhibit external indications of component failure. Flight control continuity was established. A postaccident engine run was not performed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50TB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50TB), registered now, S/N 50, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SOCATA TB 30 EPSILON - Registry model: [Socata TB 30 EPSILON](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb-30-epsilon) (registry code 8680601) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO540-L1B5D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio540-l1b5d) (registry code 41791, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50 - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 3028.4 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5D 300 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 5, 2018 - Departed: AZO, Kalamazoo, MI - Destination: BTL, Battle Creek, MI - Airport: AZO, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Interna, runway 9, 2,800 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: serious; airline transport, military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2019; seat: front; flight hours: 9,555 total, 82 in this make and model, 3,809 as pilot in command, 202 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: AZO ## 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 20191101018989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191101018989A), Nov 1, 2019: Socata TB 30 EPSILON, Kalamazoo, MI, Substantial damage. On Friday, November 01, 2019 at approximately 1635 eastern daylight saving time (2035 z) a 1985 Socata TB-30 epsilon aircraft, N50TB, was substantially damaged… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 10, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100519. 17.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 13 pages, 17.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12627067&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of examination (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 135 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12822742&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RECORD%20OF%20EXAMINATION%20ver2-Rel.pdf - Accident photo (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12821600&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-Rel.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.