# NTSB DFW08CA127: Thompson Howard Pazmany PL-2, N19HT, Wagner, OK, May 3, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2008, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Wagner, OK - Coordinates: 35.961112, -95.341941 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9611&lon=-95.3419&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Flight Standards Disctrict Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67930 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67930/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA127 ## Probable cause Loss of power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Thompson Howard PAZMANY PL-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05612U9), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Thompson Howard PAZMANY PL-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05612U9), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Thompson Howard PAZMANY PL-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=05612U9), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/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 (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Thompson Howard PAZMANY PL-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05612U9), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Thompson Howard PAZMANY PL-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05612U9), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that his single-engine experimental airplane experienced a complete loss of engine power on initial climb after takeoff. An attempt to re-start the engine was successful and the pilot elected to return to the airport and land. Shortly after the restart, the engine again experienced a complete loss of power and attempts to restart were unsuccessful. The pilot selected a forced landing to an area of small trees rather than an alternative forced landing in a lake. During the landing the airplane sustained substantial damage and came to rest upright in a nose down attitude. The pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. In a written statement from the passenger the airplane was fueled prior to take off from several hand carried gas cans that were brought to the airport by the pilot. Although the owner/builder of the airplane reported that the airplane regularly used auto gas and that water in the fuel was common, the cause of the loss of the engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The private pilot reported that his single-engine experimental airplane experienced a complete loss of engine power on initial climb after takeoff. An attempt to re-start the engine was successful and the pilot elected to return to the airport and land. Shortly after the restart, the engine again experienced a complete loss of power and attempts to restart were unsuccessful. The pilot selected a forced landing to an area of small trees rather than an alternative forced landing in a lake. During the landing the airplane sustained substantial damage and came to rest upright in a nose down attitude. The pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. In a written statement from the passenger the airplane was fueled prior to take off from several hand carried gas cans that were brought to the airport by the pilot. Although the owner/builder of the airplane reported that the airplane regularly used auto gas and that water in the fuel was common, the cause of the loss of the engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19HT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19HT-2008-09-16), registration cancelled 2008-09-16, S/N 125 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Thompson Howard Pazmany PL-2 - Registry model: [Thompson Howard PAZMANY PL-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/thompson-howard-pazmany-pl-2) (registry code 05612U9) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 125 - Airframe hours: 49 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 1, 2008 - Departed: H68, Wagner, OK - Destination: KASD, Springdale, AR - Airport: H68, Hefner-Easley Airport, runway 36, 3,405 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 49 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KTQH ## 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 20080503836949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080503836949A), May 3, 2008: Amtr PAZMANYPL2, Wagoner, OK, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft lost power on takeoff, pilot was able to restart and turn for the airport when the engine died for a second time. Aircraft impacted trees… 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.