# NTSB ERA11CA279: Franke Harry C Avid Flyer B, N145HF, Somerset, PA, April 30, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 30, 2011, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Somerset, PA - Coordinates: 40.038887, -79.014999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0389&lon=-79.0150&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79028 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79028/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79028 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA279 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to hold full power for takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Franke Harry C AVID FLYER B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md?model=05612MA), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md) - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Franke Harry C AVID FLYER B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=05612MA), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/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: [Franke Harry C AVID FLYER B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05612MA), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Franke Harry C AVID FLYER B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05612MA), [All aircraft, 3,368 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Franke Harry C AVID FLYER B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05612MA), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that he conducted a preflight inspection and engine run up, and no anomalies were noted. At 65 feet above ground level on the initial climb, the engine experienced a loss of engine power. He lowered the nose and performed a forced landing, but the airplane touched down hard which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. He said that the accident could have been prevented if he had tightened the throttle friction which accidentally rolled the power back to the idle position during the initial climb. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he conducted a preflight inspection and a ground run up prior to the flight. There were no discrepancies noted then, with the takeoff, and initial climb. When the airplane reached approximately 65 feet above the ground, just over the asphalt end section of the runway, he leveled off the climb and raised the flaps. Suddenly, the engine, "quit", had a loss of power. The pilot lowered the nose of the airplane and attempted to level off before landing but hit the ground hard, collapsing the main gears, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage structure. He and the passenger exited the airplane unharmed. Later the pilot realized and confirmed that the friction lock on the engine throttle was not engage correctly resulting in the throttle to roll back to the idle position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N145HF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N145HF-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N 296 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FRANKE HARRY C AVID FLYER B - Registry model: [Franke Harry C AVID FLYER B](https://openairdocs.org/model/franke-harry-c-avid-flyer-b) (registry code 05612MA) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 296 - Airframe hours: 250 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 19, 2010 - Departed: 2G9, Somerset, PA - Destination: 2G9, Somerset, PA - Airport: 2G9, Somerset County Airport, runway 14, 2,695 × 204 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 27, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 145 total, 135 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KJST, 19 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 20110430019089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110430019089A), Apr 30, 2011: Franke Harry C AVID FLYER B, Somerset, PA, Substantial damage. Experimental aircraft #N145HF was departing rwy 32 (turf) Somerset county airport (2G9). Shortly after rotation and at approximately 60' AGL, the aircraft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79028. 596 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 564 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347926&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Redacted.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.