# NTSB CHI01LA213: LaPorte MXL II Sport, N4416Y, Gaines Twp., MI, July 14, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 2001, 13:31 local (17:31 UTC) - Place: Gaines Twp., MI - Coordinates: 42.909671, -83.980018 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9097&lon=-83.9800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 52723 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52723/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA213 ## Probable cause The pilot's poor planning which resulted in foreign object damage to the propeller, and the low altitude at which the loss of power occurred which resulted in the pilot not being able to properly flare the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the fractured propeller blade which resulted in vibrations and the subsequent separation of the carburetor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - propeller system/accessories,blade - foreign object (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - fractured (contributing factor) - propeller system/accessories,blade - vibration (contributing factor) - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - fuel system,carburetor - separation (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - altitude - low (cause) - Hard landing, emergency landing - flare - not possible, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane experienced a hard landing following a loss of engine power while manuevering. The pilot was throwing candy out of the aircraft to a group of children on the ground who were attending a fly-in. The pilot reported the "pusher propeller sustained serious damage due to ingested candy. Severe vibration caused by shattered propeller instantly caused separation of rear carb causing air filter to further damage propeller and killing engine due to loss of fuel." The pilot reported the only open area for a forced landing was almost directly below the aircraft and ahead of it. The pilot reported, "From approximately 50 feet altitude and 38 mph indicated airspeed nosed plane straight down into only possible open area avoiding all spectators." The airplane impacted the terrain approximately 100 feet off the end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2001, at 1331 eastern daylight time, a LaPorte MXL II Sport, N4416Y, operated by a private pilot experienced a hard landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering over Purdy Field, a private airstrip in Gaines Township, Michigan. The pilot was dropping candy from the airplane to a group of children on the ground. During the second drop, the candy flew back into the propeller. The airplane then descended into a field and was substantially damaged upon impacting the terrain. The pilot received serious injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Purdy Field just prior to the accident. The pilot was throwing candy out of the aircraft to a group of children on the ground who were attending a Michigan Ultralight Association Fly-In when the accident occurred. The pilot reported the "pusher propeller sustained serious damage due to ingested candy. Severe vibration caused by shattered propeller instantly caused separation of rear carb causing air filter to further damage propeller and killing engine due to loss of fuel." The pilot reported the only open area for a forced landing was almost directly below the aircraft and ahead of it. The pilot reported, "From approximately 50 feet altitude and 38 mph indicated airspeed nosed plane straight down into only possible open area avoiding all spectators." The airplane impacted the terrain approximately 100 feet off the end of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4416Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4416Y), registered now, S/N 338MXL2DL1, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LaPorte MXL II Sport - Registry model: [Laporte David G MXLII SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/laporte-david-g-mxlii-sport) (registry code 05620BE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 338MXL2DL1 - Airframe hours: 403 - Engines: Rotax 503UL 55 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David G. LaPorte - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 2001, 3 hours before - Departed: PVT, Duffield, MI - Destination: PVT - Airport: PVT, Purdy Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 24, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 571 total, 403 in this make and model, 523 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 20010714017089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010714017089A), Jul 14, 2001: No damage. (-23) Pilot was attending annual summer fun fly-in at a small airport located at the intersection of duffield and reid road, gaines township. The pilot and… 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.