# NTSB CEN20LA207: Icon A5, N838BA, Duluth, MN, June 3, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 3, 2020, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Duluth, MN - Coordinates: 46.725276, -92.048057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7253&lon=-92.0481&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101380 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA207 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101380/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101380 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA207 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to remove an object from the airplane’s exterior, which impacted the propeller blades when he applied full power, causing them to fracture and damage the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Icon A5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=06001A7), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Icon A5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=06001A7), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md) - [Propeller system: propeller blade section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Icon A5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111/cases.md?model=06001A7), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Icon A5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=06001A7), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Icon A5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=06001A7), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Icon A5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=06001A7), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot taxied the amphibian airplane downwind on the water for takeoff. When facing into the wind, he applied full power; about 5 seconds later, he heard a "loud bang." The propeller blades separated and penetrated the fuselage, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage. The pilot reported that, immediately before the accident flight, he had placed a portable speaker on the top of the airplane and did not recall removing the speaker before departure. The pilot stated, "the speaker must have rolled over the engine compartment and into the propellers." It is likely that the audio speaker, which was left on the airplane, struck the propeller blades, which resulted in the propeller blades separating from the propeller and penetrating the fuselage. ## Factual narrative On June 3, 2020, about 1630 central daylight time, an ICON A5 amphibian airplane, N838BA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near the Sky Harbor Airport (DYT), Duluth, Minnesota. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he taxied downwind on the water for takeoff. When facing into the wind, he applied full power and about 5 seconds later, heard a "loud bang". He shut down the engine, climbed out, looked back, and saw that all 3 propeller blades were missing. At this point, the airplane started to sink. He and his passenger donned life jackets and evacuated the airplane. Substantial damage was noted to the airplane's fuselage, including holes in the hull. Several days later, the pilot recalled that before he taxied out, they washed the airplane. During the wash, he had placed a portable speaker on the top of the airplane to listen to some music while they worked. He did not recall putting the speaker away before departure. The pilot added, "that the speaker must have rolled over the engine compartment and into the propellers ..." During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator In Charge, the pilot stated that he has not since located the speaker. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N838BA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N838BA), registered now, S/N 00114 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Icon A5 - Registry model: [Icon A5](https://openairdocs.org/model/icon-a5) (registry code 06001A7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-is-series) (registry code 55593, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 00114 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 125.6 - Engines: Rotax 912 IS 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 30, 2020 - Departed: KDYT, Duluth, MN - Destination: KDYT, Duluth, MN - Airport: KDYT, Sky Harbor Airport - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B, Airframe parachute, Angle of attack indicator, Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KDYT ## 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 20200603007799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200603007799A), Jun 3, 2020: Icon Aircraft Inc A5, Duluth, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that he water taxied for preparation for take-off as he added power he heard a loud thud, felt a very strong vibration and lost forward thrust,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101380. 6.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memo (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485548&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memo-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.