# NTSB CHI01LA155: Torno Micro Mong, N426RT, Petersburg, MI, June 8, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 2001, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Petersburg, MI - Coordinates: 41.88908, -83.710044 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8891&lon=-83.7100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Detroit FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52459 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52459/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA155 ## Probable cause Aircraft control not being maintained by the pilot during the forced landing. Factors to the accident were the loss of engine power, the overtemperature of the piston, the hole in the top of the number-one piston, and the encountered stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - powerplant - failure,partial (contributing factor) - engine assembly,piston - melted (contributing factor) - engine assembly,piston - overtemperature (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The aircraft departed on a westerly heading and experienced a loss of engine power approximately 70-feet above ground level (agl). The witnesses reported that after the loss of engine power, the aircraft entered a left banking turn, subsequently striking the terrain. According to the pilot's written statement, "I am unable to recall the details of the accident that occurred on June 8, 2001." Subsequent to the accident, the pilot received medical attention including major surgery and care for a resulting coma. Post-accident inspection of the aircraft engine revealed that the number-one (front) cylinder spark plug had aluminum deposits on its electrode and insulator. Further inspection of the number-one cylinder assembly revealed a hole burned in the top of its piston. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 2001, at 1620 eastern daylight time, a Torno Micro Mong, N426RT, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with the terrain, following a loss of engine power during initial climb from runway 27 (2,300 feet by 100 feet, dry/grass) at the Air Rahe Ultralight Park, Petersburg, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The local flight was departing at the time of the accident. According to witnesses, the aircraft departed on a westerly heading and experienced a loss of engine power approximately 70-feet above ground level (agl). The witnesses reported that after the loss of engine power, the aircraft entered a left banking turn, subsequently striking the terrain. According to the pilot's written statement, "I am unable to recall the details of the accident that occurred on June 8, 2001." Subsequent to the accident, the pilot received medical attention including major surgery and care for a resulting coma. Post-accident inspection of the aircraft engine revealed that the number-one (front) cylinder spark plug had aluminum deposits on its electrode and insulator. Further inspection of the number-one cylinder assembly revealed a hole burned in the top of its piston. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N426RT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N426RT-2007-06-15), registration cancelled 2007-06-15, S/N 214, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Torno Micro Mong - Registry model: [Torno Randall C MICRO MONG](https://openairdocs.org/model/torno-randall-c-micro-mong) (registry code 05607Y3) (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: 214 - Engines: 2Si 460-L50 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 2000 - Departed: MI06, PETERSBURG, MI - Destination: MI06, PETERSBURG, MI - Airport: MI06, Air Rahe, runway 270, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 11, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 195 total, 47 in this make and model, 173 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: ADG, 17 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 20010608014329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010608014329A), Jun 8, 2001: Amtr MICROMONG, Petersburg, MI, Substantial damage. (.19)On June 8, 2001, at 1620 eastern daylight time, a torno micro mong, N426RT, piloted by a Private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight… 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.