# NTSB ERA13LA084: Merritt Leslie R Kelly D, N5172S, Brandon, MS, December 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 9, 2012, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Brandon, MS - Coordinates: 32.455833, -89.969718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4558&lon=-89.9697&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: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 85792 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85792/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85792 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA084 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## 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: [Merritt Leslie R KELLY D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05612RG), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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: [Merritt Leslie R KELLY D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05612RG), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Merritt Leslie R KELLY D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05612RG), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Merritt Leslie R KELLY D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05612RG), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and student pilot were preparing to take off to the west. Following a normal magneto and carburetor heat check, the student took the controls for the takeoff. Shortly after liftoff, the engine suddenly lost all power. The flight instructor took the controls and maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing. The airplane struck trees and sustained substantial airframe damage. A wreckage examination found no evidence of a pre-existing mechanical malfunction or failure, and there was adequate fuel on board for the flight. Although there were some small flakes of sealant in the fuel tanks, no obstructions were found. A review of meteorological data revealed that the airplane was being operated in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power but not at takeoff power. Thus, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On December 9, 2012, about 1615 central standard time, a Merritt Kelly D, N5172S, was substantially damaged following a forced landing near Brandon, Mississippi. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries and one student pilot was not injured. The experimental, amateur-built airplane was operated by a corporation under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The commercial-rated flight instructor reported that, prior to taking off to the west, a magneto and carburetor heat check was performed with normal results. The student pilot, who held a private pilot certificate, was at the controls for the takeoff. Shortly after liftoff, the engine suddenly lost all power. The flight instructor took over the controls and maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing. The airplane collided with trees in a marshy area. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The inspector confirmed substantial damage to the airframe. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the controls to the cockpit. The fuel tank was breached, and contained a residual amount of light blue-colored fuel. Some small flakes were observed inside the tank, consistent in appearance with tank sealant. The fuel selector valve was in the open position and no restrictions were observed. The gascolator was opened and was full of fuel. A small amount of debris was found in the bottom of the gascolator bowl. The carburetor inlet screen was free of contaminants. Further examination of the engine revealed that internal continuity was confirmed and compression was observed on all cylinders. The engine was full of oil. Left magneto drive continuity was confirmed. The top spark plugs were removed and the electrodes were clean with a light gray color. Fuel was observed on the ground around the aircraft. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were about 73 and 64 degrees F, respectively. According to the carburetor icing chart published in FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, dated June 30, 2009, the weather conditions at the time were conducive to serious icing at glide power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5172S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5172S-2015-12-17), registration cancelled 2015-12-17, S/N 43 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MERRITT LESLIE R KELLY D - Registry model: [Merritt Leslie R KELLY D](https://openairdocs.org/model/merritt-leslie-r-kelly-d) (registry code 05612RG) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 43 - Airframe hours: 850 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Kdb LLC - Registered owner: Kdb LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 2012, 30 hours before - Departed: 6MS1, Brandon, MS - Destination: Brandon, MS - Airport: 6MS1, Woodbridge Airport, runway 27, 4,000 × 65 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 60; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 18,200 total, 25 in this make and model, 17,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days - Student pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 9, 2012; seat: rear; flight hours: 750 total, 2 in this make and model, 720 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: JAN, 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 20121209026999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121209026999A), Dec 9, 2012: Merritt Leslie R KELLY D, Brandon, MS, Substantial damage. During climb out engine lost power. Aircraft crashed into wooded area. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85792. 9.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 927 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389340&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Carburetor Icing Chart (item 3, .PDF, 211 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Chart-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Main Wreckage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 4, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389342&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Main Wreckage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 5, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389343&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Engine (FAA Digital Photo) (item 6, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389344&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Engine%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-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. --- 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.