# NTSB CHI97LA233: Albrecht SEA REY, N7475Q, Brighton, MI, July 30, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 1997, 17:07 local (21:07 UTC) - Place: Brighton, MI - Coordinates: 42.530525, -83.780303 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5305&lon=-83.7803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 9, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10649 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA233 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10649/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA233 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power due to a failed exhaust valve oil seal, and fouled spark plugs. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - leak (cause) - lubricating system,oil seal - leak (cause) - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane was observed to takeoff and reach approximately 150 agl when a power loss was heard. The airplane went into a left bank and then straight down. The airplane did about one and one half spins before impacting the terrain. Examination of the engine revealed both upper and lower spark plugs oil fouled. Closer examination revealed the exhaust valve stem seal had failed. Flight control continuity was established to all flight control surfaces with no anomalies noted. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 1997, at 1707 eastern daylight time (edt), an Albrecht Sea Rey, N7475Q, owned and operated by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain during an attempted forced landing, following a loss of engine power. The airplane experienced the loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from runway 04 (2,660' x 24' dry/asphalt), at Brighton Field, Brighton, Michigan. The pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The local flight originated at Brighton, Michigan. Several witnesses said that they saw the airplane take off and climb to approximately 150 feet above ground level (agl). The witnesses then said they heard the airplane's engine "sputter." The airplane went into a left bank and then went straight down. One witness said the airplane "did about a spin and a half before hitting the ground." Another witness stated that the family was talking earlier in the week about some problems with the engine. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane wreckage at the accident site. The examination revealed both the lower and upper spark plugs on the number three cylinder were oil soaked. Examination of the exhaust valve stem seal on the number three cylinder showed that it had failed. Examination of the airplane's flight controls, engine, engine controls, and other systems showed no indications of pre-impact anomalies. The pilot had accumulated approximately 33 hours in this airplane. A post mortem examination of the pilot was conducted on July 30, 1997 at Howell, Michigan. No pre-existent anomalies were noted during this examination. The toxicological examination of post-accident specimens from the pilot detected 0.054 (ug/ml, ug/g) Diphenhydramine found in blood and urine. Additionally, 94.400 (ug/ml, ug/g) Acetaminophen was detected in the urine. The 1993 edition of the Physician's Desk Reference states that Diphenhydramine and Acetaminophen are found predominately in over-the-counter medications used to provide temporary relief from minor aches, pains, headaches, and fever. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7475Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7475Q-1999-02-19), registration cancelled 1999-02-19, S/N 1DK028 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Albrecht SEA REY - Registry model: [Albrecht Richard SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/albrecht-richard-searey) (registry code 05603NS) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Ultralight, amateur-built - Serial number: 1DK028 - Airframe hours: 32 - Engines: Rotax 912VL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard Curtis Albrecht - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 45G - Airport: 45G, Brighton Field, runway 4, 2,660 × 24 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 135 total, 32 in this make and model, 135 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OZW, 10 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 19970730020139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970730020139A), Jul 30, 1997: Amtr SEAREY, Brighton, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost power on climbout. Stalled trying to return to runway. (-23) shortly after takeoff, the engine was reported to run rough. The aircraft was observed to… 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.