# NTSB DEN06CA092: Flaglor High Tow, N19BB, Jackson, WY, July 5, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 4, 2006, 18:00 local (Jul 5, 2006, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Jackson, WY - Coordinates: 43.606388, -110.738052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6064&lon=-110.7381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards Field Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 64047 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06CA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64047/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06CA092 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power due to low cylinder compression and fouled spark plugs. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - engine assembly,cylinder - low compression (cause) - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command - object - fence - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - water ## Analysis According to the pilot he intended to overfly a local music festival. Both wing struts on the airplane were equipped with a flag measuring 3 feet by 2 feet. During the takeoff, it "appeared as if the engine was not making full power, possibly due to plug fouling." The pilot elected to abort the takeoff, and the airplane "overran the end of the runway, hit a barb wire fence, and flipped over into a stream on the other side of the fence" resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the engine revealed six fouled spark plugs and low compression on 4 cylinders. Density altitude was calculated to be 8580 feet. ## Factual narrative According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form submitted by the pilot, and subsequent telephone conversations with the pilot, he intended to over fly a local music festival. Both wing struts on the airplane were equipped with a flag measuring 3 feet by 2 feet. During the take off, it "appeared as if the engine was not making full power, possibly due to plug fouling." The pilot elected to abort the take off, and the airplane "overran the end of the runway, hit a barb wire fence, and flipped over into a stream on the other side of the fence." The airplane was partially submerged in water. The fuselage was crushed down and the bottom wing was crushed aft and the empennage was crushed and wrinkled. The pilot was adamant that this was not a density altitude issue, as the flight had been made successfully for the past six years under similar conditions. Density altitude was calculated to be 8, 580 feet. The engine was filled with water and had to be drained before an examination could take place. An examination of the airplane's engine revealed that six spark plugs were covered with carbon like deposits. These spark plugs would not fire when tested. In addition, 4 cylinders exhibited compression levels below 40. An examination of the remaining airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: N19BB (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Flaglor High Tow - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Airframe hours: 350 - Engines: Continental W-670 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006, 4 hours before - Departed: Jackson Hole, WY - Airport: UNK, Fish Creek Ranch Airstrip, runway 18, 3,500 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 8,500 total, 450 in this make and model, 8,300 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: JAC, 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 20060704012479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060704012479A), Jul 4, 2006: Flaglo HIGHTOW, Jackson, WY, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot operated the aircraft in an unairworthy condition. A flag (approximately 2.5 feet by 3.0 feet) was attached to a strut on each wing. The aircraft… 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.