# NTSB CHI01LA222: Druine Turbulent D-31, N4697T, Lebanon, IN, July 16, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 2001, 09:52 local (14:52 UTC) - Place: Lebanon, IN - Coordinates: 40.050907, -86.470542 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0509&lon=-86.4705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 16, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52911 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA222 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52911/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA222 ## Probable cause The pilot not maintaining aircraft control while maneuvering during initial climb. Factors to the accident were the improperly serviced propeller that resulted in a pitch setting that was insufficient for normal flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller failure/malfunction, other - propeller - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - propeller system/accessories,pitch change mech - improperly serviced (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot was on the first flight following the installation and adjustment of a new ground-adjustable propeller. The pilot reported that while on initial climb, "... at aprox. [approximately] 40-50 foot altitude, I gently lowered the nose to continue the climbout at 70 kts. [knots]. At about the same time the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of forward thrust, with the engine continuing to run. I tried to maintain aircraft control to attempted to glide the aircraft back to the runway. The aircraft struck the ground about 20-25 feet right of the runway, turning about 180 degrees counter-clockwise, after impact." The pilot reported that he believed the loss of forward thrust was due to the propeller pitch adjustment prior to the accident flight. The propeller was inspected and was found at a minimum pitch setting of approximately 3 degrees. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 2001, at 0952 eastern standard time, an amateur-built Druine Turbulent D-31, N4697T, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with the terrain during initial climb from runway 18 (3,600 feet by 60 feet, dry/concrete) at the Boone County Airport, Lebanon, Indiana. 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, reported minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and had the intended destination of Owosso, Michigan. According to the pilot's written statement, he was having difficulties obtaining the recommended static engine rpm and had the propeller blade pitch adjusted prior to the accident flight. The pilot reported that, "After refueling the aircraft, I performed the preflight check, then I followed the engine start checklist, no defects noted, then the Before Takeoff checks, with all temps, pressures and RPM well within limits. On Takeoff roll at 65 kts. [knots] I lifted off maintaining 65 kts. on climb out at aprox. [approximately] 40-50 foot altitude, I gently lowered the nose to continue the climbout at 70 kts. At about the same time the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of forward thrust, with the engine continuing to run. I tried to maintain aircraft control to attempted to glide the aircraft back to the runway. The aircraft struck the ground about 20-25 feet right of the runway, turning about 180 degrees counter-clockwise, after impact." The pilot reported that a new ground adjustable propeller was installed and adjusted by an airframe and powerplant mechanic at the Boone County Airport. The piloted stated, "Suspect prop as cause of forward thrust loss." An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) performed the post-accident inspection of the airplane. No anomalies were found with the airframe or engine that could be associated with any pre-impact condition. The propeller was inspected and the adjustment screw was found with 18 threads showing, or an adjustment of about 5 full turns. According to the FAA inspector's statement, "This propeller is factory preset to a 35 [inches of helix advancement] pitch or "relaxed" position, the adjustment procedures call for five and one-half turns from neutral to get 18 [inches of helix advancement] pitch (minimum pitch) to 52 [inches of helix advancement] pitch (maximum pitch)." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4697T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4697T-2001-10-09), registration cancelled 2001-10-09, S/N PFA-588, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Druine Turbulent D-31 - Registry model: [Druine TURBULENT D-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/druine-turbulent-d-31) (registry code 05601HM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: PFA-588 - Airframe hours: 930 - Engines: Volkswagen 1584cc 53 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Les Lee Schneider - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 31, 2001, 42 hours before - Departed: 6I4, Lebanon, IN - Destination: 5D3, Owosso, MI - Airport: 6I4, Boone County, runway 18, 3,600 × 60 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 17, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 462 total, 41 in this make and model, 433 as pilot in command, 146 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: EYE, 13 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 20010716026419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010716026419A), Jul 16, 2001: Lebanon, IN, No damage. (-23) On July 16, 2001, N4697T, an amateur-built druine/turbulent D-31 aircraft, owned and operated by les l. schneider was attempting a takeoff form runway 18… 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.