# NTSB CHI08LA166: Helton Lark 95, N86657, West Carrollton, OH, June 17, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 2008, 10:36 local (14:36 UTC) - Place: West Carrollton, OH - Coordinates: 39.683334, -84.25 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6833&lon=-84.2500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68264 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08LA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68264/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68264 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08LA166 ## Probable cause The improper installation of spark plugs during the annual inspection which resulted in a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain during the forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: spark plugs/igniters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Helton LARK 95, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421/cases.md?model=4331020), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Helton LARK 95, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=4331020), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Helton LARK 95, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=4331020), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Helton LARK 95, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=4331020), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Helton LARK 95, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4331020), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, the airplane entered a descending left turn. The airplane contacted a utility pole, a light pole, and a tree prior to coming to rest. A witness stated the airplane sounded fine on takeoff, but the engine began to lose power shortly thereafter. Post accident inspection of the airplane and engine revealed the number four cylinder sustained impact damage in the area of the top spark plug. The top spark plug on this cylinder was found separated from the engine. The top spark plugs on the remaining cylinders were loose. The accident occurred on the first flight following an annual inspection. The mechanic who signed off the inspection stated he checked the torque on the spark plugs after they were installed. The airplane was topped off with fuel prior to the flight. The pilot's logbook did not show any entries indicating that he had ever flown a Lark 95 prior to the accident flight and the passenger stated this was the pilot's first flight in the airplane. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 17, 2008, at 1036 eastern daylight time, a Helton Lark 95, N86657, collided with a utility pole, a light pole, and a tree in West Carrollton, Ohio, following a loss of engine power. The airplane departed runway 26 at the Moraine Airpark (I73), Moraine, Ohio, just prior to the accident. The airline transport pilot (ATP) was fatally injured. The sole passenger on board received serious injuries. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 ferry flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The intended destination was Reno, Nevada. The location of en route stops was not determined. The airplane had recently been sold and the pilot was contacted by an aircraft broker to ferry it from Moraine, Ohio, to the new owner in Reno, Nevada. The passenger recalled taking off and the airplane entering a "sharp left turn." She did not recall the pilot stating what the problem was, nor did she recall what altitude they had achieved. She did state that the engine was running when the airplane entered the left bank. A witness reported the airplane sounded fine when it took off, but when it was over the river, at an altitude of 200-250 feet above the ground, the engine started to lose power and sputter. The airplane banked to the left and nosed down. The witness reported that when the airplane was about 50 feet above the ground, the nose of the airplane rose and the wing contacted a utility pole. The airplane then descended out of his view. Another witness reported he came out of his garage when he heard a loud engine noise. He reported that the airplane was in a left bank and the engine was very loud like the "...manifold had come off." He reported he also occasionally heard a "...popping sound, like a back-fire." PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 37, held ATP, certified flight instructor (CFI), and ground instructor certificates. The ATP certificate contained an airplane multi-engine land rating with commercial privileges for airplane single-engine land. The ATP certificate also contained type ratings for A-320, CL-65, and DC-3 airplanes. The CFI certificate contained airplane multi-engine land, airplane single-engine land, and instrument airplane ratings. The pilot was issued a first-class medical certificate on August 24, 2007. This certificate did not contain any limitations. The pilot's family located one of the pilot's logbooks. The first entry in the logbook was dated August 3, 2005. A total flight time of 8,111.4 hours was forwarded to this logbook. The last entry in the logbook was dated June 13, 2007, with a total flight time of 9,737.2 hours. With the exception of one entry, all of the flight time in the logbook was logged as pilot-in-command time in CL-65 airplanes. The pilot's employer provided a list of his flight times between August 21, 2007 and June 16, 2008. All of this flight time was listed as being a first officer inA-319 airplanes. A combination of these records indicated the pilot had a total flight time of approximately 10,328 hours, of which 3,108 hours were logged in single-engine airplanes. The pilot's logbook did not show any entries indicating that he had ever flown a Lark 95 prior to the accident flight and the passenger stated this was the pilot's first flight in the airplane. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The accident airplane was a 1966 Helton Lark 95, serial number 9506. It was a single-engine, low-wing, two-place airplane with fixed landing gear and a sliding canopy. The fuselage and wings were constructed with a plywood covering and the engine cowling was fiberglass. Aircraft maintenance records showed the aircraft received an annual inspection on June 14, 2008, at an aircraft total time of 1,205.6 hours. The airplane was powered by a 90-horsepower, Continental C90 engine, serial number 48550-6-16. The engine maintenance records show the engine received an annual inspection on June 14, 2008, at an engine total time of 1,205.6 hours. According to the airframe and mechanic with inspection authority (A&P IA) who performed the annual inspection, just prior to the flight the pilot informed him that the aircraft battery was dead. The pilot reported to the mechanic that he needed to go to the fuel pumps, so the mechanic towed the airplane to the pumps. The airplane was topped off with fuel. The pilot then asked the mechanic to hand prop the airplane, which the mechanic did. The mechanic stated they then discovered that the landing light was not functioning. The pilot taxied the airplane to the hangar and the mechanic connected the landing light wire. The mechanic again hand propped the airplane. The mechanic stated he heard the airplane take off and the engine sounded healthy. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The weather conditions reported at the Dayton International Airport (DAY), Dayton, Ohio, 15 miles north of the accident site, at 1056, were: Wind from 290 degrees at 13 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; few clouds at 4,300 feet; broken clouds at 6,000 feet; temperature 20 degrees Celsius; dew point 8 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.02 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The main wreckage was located behind a residence southwest of the departure end of runway 26 at I73. The Great Miami River borders the west side of I73 and the wreckage was on the opposite side of the river from the airport. The wreckage path was on an easterly heading. The airplane contacted a utility pole with the right wingtip, severing a power line. Pieces of aircraft wreckage were scattered between the utility pole and the main wreckage. A 2-foot section of the right wingtip was located on the ground approximately 98 feet from the utility pole. Ground scars were visible beginning approximately 123 feet from the utility pole. The airplane then contacted and severed a light pole prior to coming to rest in an inverted attitude, approximately 235 feet from the initial contactwith the utility pole. The portion of the airplane from the instrument panel forward, the outboard section of both wings, and the canopy were separated from the main wreckage. The propeller separated from the crankshaft and it was located near the light pole that was contacted. Both blade tips were curled rearward and one blade contained torsional twisting. The post accident inspection of the airplane was conducted by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards District Office in Cincinnati, Ohio. The inspectors reported that flight control continuity was established to the extent possible. The fuel pump, fuel selector, and magnetos were found in the off position. The top spark plug on the number four cylinder was found separated from the cylinder. Impact damage was visible on both the engine cowling near the number four cylinder and on the cylinder itself near the top spark plug. The other three top spark plugs were found to be "less than finger tight." MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed on the pilot on June 18, 2008, at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, Dayton, Ohio. The autopsy report listed the cause of death as "Blunt force injuries of the head and neck." A Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report was prepared by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The results for tests performed were negative. TESTS AND RESEARCH According to Teledyne Continental Motors, there would have been a reduction in engine power with the top spark plugs loose, however they did not have data to indicate how much power would be lost. The A&P IA who signed off the last annual inspection reported that he checked the torque on all of the spark plugs after they were installed during the inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N86657](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86657-2013-07-16), registration cancelled 2013-07-16, S/N 9506, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HELTON LARK 95 - Registry model: [Helton LARK 95](https://openairdocs.org/model/helton-lark-95) (registry code 4331020) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9506 - Airframe hours: 1206 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C90 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Leonard E. Notek - Registered owner: American Sportplanes LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 2008 - Departed: I73, Moraine, OH - Destination: Reno, NV - Airport: I73, Moraine Airpark, runway 26, 3,500 × 65 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: fatal; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 27, 2007; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,328 total, 9,737 as pilot in command, 231 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: DAY, 15 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 20080617838699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080617838699A), Jun 17, 2008: Mcbems LARK95, Dayton, OH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Aircraft departed morain airpark at 1040 local time to begin a cross country flight with final destination reno Nevada. Aircraft had undergone annual… ## Docket (24 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2008, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68264. 27.9 MB in all. - Witness Statements (item 1, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304700&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Mechanic's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 224 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304701&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Mechanic%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Ohio State Highway Patrol Report (item 3, .PDF, 695 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304702&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ohio%20State%20Highway%20Patrol%20Report-Master.PDF - Maintenance Record (item 4, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304703&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Record-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 5, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304704&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Logbook Return Tracking Document (item 6, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304705&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Logbook%20Return%20Tracking%20Document-Master.PDF - Aerial Image (item 7, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304706&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aerial%20Image-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Utility Pole - Initial Impact (FAA Photo) (item 8, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Utility%20Pole%20-%20Initial%20Impact%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Separated Section of Right Wing (FAA Photo) (item 9, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304709&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20Separated%20Section%20of%20Right%20Wing%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Wreckage Path (FAA Photo) (item 10, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304710&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20%20Wreckage%20Path%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Light Pole (FAA Photo) (item 11, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20%20Light%20Pole%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Propeller (FAA Photo) (item 12, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20%20Propeller%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Engine and Instrument Panel (FAA Photo) (item 13, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20%20Engine%20and%20Instrument%20Panel%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 7. Fuel Selector (FAA Photo) (item 14, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207.%20%20Fuel%20Selector%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 8. Engine and Instrument Panel (FAA Photo) (item 15, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208.%20%20Engine%20and%20Instrument%20Panel%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 9. Main Wreckage (FAA Photo) (item 16, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209.%20%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 10. Main Wreckage (FAA Photo) (item 17, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2010.%20%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 11. Left Wing (FAA Photo) (item 18, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2011.%20%20Left%20Wing%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 12. Main Wreckage (FAA Photo) (item 19, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2012.%20%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 13. Main Wreckage (FAA Photo) (item 20, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2013.%20%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 14. Main Wreckage (FAA Photo) (item 21, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2014.%20%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 15. Main Wreckage (FAA Photo) (item 22, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2015.%20%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 16. Number 4 Cylinder Top Spark Plug (FAA Photo) (item 23, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2016.%20%20Number%204%20Cylinder%20Top%20Spark%20Plug%20(FAA%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 17. Number 4 Cylinder (FAA Photo) (item 24, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304724&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2017.%20%20Number%204%20Cylinder%20(FAA%20Photo)-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.