# NTSB CEN22LA185: Superior Culver LFA, N37888, Syracuse, KS, April 28, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 28, 2022, 10:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Syracuse, KS - Coordinates: 37.99858, -101.7476 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9986&lon=-101.7476&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 105013 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105013/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105013 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA185 ## Probable cause The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall while returning to the airport following a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Superior CULVER LFA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8730208), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Superior CULVER LFA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=8730208), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000); cases with it: [Superior CULVER LFA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=8730208), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Superior CULVER LFA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=8730208), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Superior CULVER LFA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8730208), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Superior CULVER LFA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=8730208), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Superior CULVER LFA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8730208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a flight of an airplane after being rebuilt, the engine began to run rough when the airplane was about 150 ft above ground level. Witnesses observed the airplane make a steep left turn in a nose high attitude back toward the direction of the runway. The left wing subsequently dropped, and the airplane entered a rapid descent until it impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude. The airplane was largely consumed by a post-crash fire. During a postaccident examination, there were no mechanical anomalies found that would have precluded normal operation. However, the extent of the post-crash fire prevented an examination of the fuel and ignition systems. When the temperature and dewpoint were plotted on a carburetor icing probability chart, the result was that the airplane was operating in conditions that were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power. The investigation was unable to determine if this contributed to the engine roughness. It is likely that the pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack for the airplane as he was returning to the airport to make a precautionary landing when the engine began running rough. ## Factual narrative On April 28, 2022, about 1040 central daylight time, a Superior Culver LFA, N37888, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Syracuse, Kansas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane had recently been rebuilt and the engine had been overhauled. The purpose of the flight was to transport the airplane from the maintenance facility to its owner in another state. Witnesses reported that after takeoff, and about 150 ft above ground level, the engine began to run rough. The pilot made a steep left turn in a nose-high attitude as if he were attempting to return to the runway. The engine continued to run rough as the left wing dropped and the airplane entered a rapid descent before impacting the ground in a nose-low attitude. The airplane was largely consumed by a post-crash fire. During a postaccident examination, flight control continuity was established to all control surfaces. The magnetos remained attached to the engine and were thermally damaged along with both ignition harnesses. The carburetor sustained impact and thermal damage. The spark plugs were removed and found to be unremarkable. No evidence of a catastrophic engine failure was present. When the temperature (66°F) and dewpoint (55°F) were plotted on a carburetor icing probability chart, the result was that the airplane was being operated in an area conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power. (See figure 1) Figure 1: Carburetor Icing Probability Chart. Reference: Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37888](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37888-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 204 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SUPERIOR CULVER LFA - Registry model: [Superior CULVER LFA](https://openairdocs.org/model/superior-culver-lfa) (registry code 8730208) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 204 - Year built: 1941 - Engines: Franklin 4AC-176-D3 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special); Standard, Other - Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 2021, 6 hours before - Airport: 3K3, Syracuse-Hamilton County Municipal Airport, runway 18, 4,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: fatal; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 32,900 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 16 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KULS, 30 nm away - METAR: KULS 281535Z AUTO 22016G21KT 10SM BKN015 BKN035 19/13 A2984 RMK AO2 ## 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 20220428005879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220428005879A), Apr 28, 2022: Superior CULVER LFA, Syracuse, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The wichita FSDO has concluded through eyewitness accounts, witness statements, and on-site analysis that the cause of accident for N37888 on 04/28/2022 was… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 14, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105013. 32.9 MB in all. - Witness statements - courtesy of the Kansas highway patrol (item 1, PDF, 3 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14166648&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Video of takeoff and initial climb (item 2, MOV, 27.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14166829&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=ACC_20220428_N37888%20Witness%20Video_4.28.2022-Rel.MOV - On scene diagram - courtesy of the FAA (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 807 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14164975&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=scene%20diagram%20courtesy%20of%20the%20faa-Rel.pdf - Mfr FAA on scene examination (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14494664&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20FAA%20On%20Scene%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Mfr engine examination (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14493782&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20Engine%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14495493&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Record of memorandum - regarding autopsy and toxicology (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14166295&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROM%20no%20autopsy%20and%20Tox-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 575 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14494074&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=22012%20xNTSB%20Release_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Carburetor icing probability chart (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16000911&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Carb%20Ice%20Chart-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.