# NTSB ERA10LA424: W.H. Hunnicutt Hobo, N884WH, Fletcher, NC, August 10, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 2010, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Fletcher, NC
- Coordinates: 35.442501, -82.472778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4425&lon=-82.4728&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76969
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA424
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76969/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76969
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA424

## Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to select an adequate forced landing site.

## 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: [Hunnicutt W H HOBO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=056267X), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hunnicutt W H HOBO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=056267X), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Hunnicutt W H HOBO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=056267X), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/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: [Hunnicutt W H HOBO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=056267X), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hunnicutt W H HOBO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056267X), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he departed the airport and that the airplane began losing altitude approximately 100 yards past the end of the runway. He stated that the engine tachometer read 2,500 rpm, which was 200 rpm lower than the takeoff rpm specified by the manufacturer, and that the airplane would not climb. The pilot applied carburetor heat and flew into trees and bushes approximately one-quarter mile from the end of the runway. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot covered the airplane with a camouflage tarp, cut the registration numbers out of the fuselage, and did not report the accident to authorities. The wreckage was discovered by the property owner and reported to local authorities five days after the accident. The airplane came to rest in a heavily wooded area among agricultural fields, several of which may have served as more suitable forced landing sites. After the accident, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector opened the engine cowling and observed no anomalies, and the gascolator bowl revealed no evidence of fuel contamination; however, no further examination of the engine was performed.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 10, 2010, about 1100 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Hunnicutt Hobo, N884WH, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following takeoff from Cane Creek Airport (4NC6), Fletcher, North Carolina. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that he departed from runway 4, and the airplane began losing altitude approximately 100 yards past the end of the runway. He stated that the engine tachometer read 2,500 rpm, but the airplane would not climb. The pilot applied carburetor heat, and flew into trees and bushes approximately one-quarter mile from the end of the runway, where the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot "turned off all switches" and exited the airplane. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that the engine was running rough after takeoff, and that upon application of carburetor heat, the roughness worsened, so he removed the carburetor heat. He stated that he flew the airplane into trees at an estimated speed of 30 knots. The pilot covered the airplane with a camouflage tarp, cut the registration numbers out of the fuselage, and did not report the accident to authorities. The wreckage was discovered by the property owner and reported to local authorities on August 15, 2010. The pilot stated that he did not think he needed to report the accident, and that he planned on removing the airplane once the corn crop was harvested. The pilot also removed the airplane's data plate, several of the flight instruments, and the airplane's wings prior to the FAA's examination of the airplane at the accident site. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. He reported 2,181 hours total flight experience, 80 hours of which were in the accident airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued in August 2008. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION According to FAA records, the airplane was issued an airworthiness certificate in July 2008, and was equipped with a Continental O-300C, 145 hp engine. The airplane's most recent conditional inspection was conducted on September 6, 2009. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated a total time of 81 hours. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted in a wooded area. There was substantial damage to both left and right wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. An odor of fuel was present at the scene. A cursory examination of the engine by the FAA revealed no evidence of damage or visible anomalies. The gascolator bowl was removed and no evidence of fuel contamination was observed. No internal examination of theengine was performed. AIRPORT INFORMATION 4NC6 was a private airport located at an elevation of 2,100 feet above mean sea level (msl). The airport was equipped with one turf runway, oriented 04/22, and measuring 2,680 feet in length and 160 feet in width. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The 1454 weather observation at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), located approximately 3 nautical miles west of the accident location, included winds from 340 degrees at 4 knots, 9 statute miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 28 degrees C, dew point 21 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.14 inches of mercury. The calculated density altitude was approximately 3,900 feet. Review of the FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart revealed conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide engine power setting. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Information contained in Teledyne Continental Motors C125/C145/O-300 Series Operator's Manual revealed a rated takeoff rpm of 2,700, and recommended cruise rpm of 2,450. The engine tachometer in the accident airplane displayed a red line indicator marking at 2,700 rpm, with 2,500 rpm in the "green arc" operating range. Interpolation of engine data revealed that, at 2,500 rpm, the engine would produce about 133 hp at sea level in standard atmospheric conditions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N884WH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N884WH), registered now, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: W.H. Hunnicutt Hobo
- Registry model: [Hunnicutt W H HOBO](https://openairdocs.org/model/hunnicutt-w-h-hobo) (registry code 056267X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-a) (registry code 17173, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 81
- Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Warren H. Hunnicutt
- Registered owner: Warren H. Hunnicutt
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, September 6, 2009
- Departed: 4NC6, Fletcher, NC
- Destination: 4NC6, Fletcher, NC
- Airport: 4NC6, Cane Creek Airport, runway 04, 2,680 × 160 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 83; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 24, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 2,181 total, 80 in this make and model, 2,141 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 3 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 20100810046379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100810046379A), Aug 10, 2010: Hunnicutt W HOBO, Fletcher, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot states that he departed Cane Creek airstrip, 4NC6, @ 1100 on 08/10/2010. Upon takeoff pilot reported he lost engine power. Aircraft crashed in woods…

## Docket (10 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76969. 4.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 379 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355685&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 280 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356041&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Pilot Interview (item 3, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356053&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF
- Engine Operator's Manual Excerpt (item 4, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356080&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Operator%27s%20Manual%20Excerpt-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 (Courtesy Skyland Fire Department) (item 5, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20(Courtesy%20Skyland%20Fire%20Department)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 (Courtesy FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 779 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 (Courtesy FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356052&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Overview of Accident Site (item 8, .PDF, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356074&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Overview%20of%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records - AVL METARs (item 9, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356204&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20-%20AVL%20METARs-Master.PDF
- Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (item 10, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356203&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Chart-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.

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