# NTSB ERA14LA281: Belew Marshall D II Steen Skybolt, N863SB, Chapmansboro, TN, June 8, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 2014, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Chapmansboro, TN
- Coordinates: 36.321666, -87.153053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3217&lon=-87.1531&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: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 8, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO, Continental Motors Inc.
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89388
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89388/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89388
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA281

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while performing an emergency landing, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Belew Marshall D II STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05624QJ), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Belew Marshall D II STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05624QJ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Belew Marshall D II STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05624QJ), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Belew Marshall D II STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05624QJ), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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: [Belew Marshall D II STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05624QJ), [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: [Belew Marshall D II STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05624QJ), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Belew Marshall D II STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05624QJ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Belew Marshall D II STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05624QJ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection with no anomalies noted. In addition, he performed an engine run-up, and everything was normal. During the initial climb, about 200 ft above ground level and just over the departure end of the runway, the pilot noticed that the airplane was not producing full power; witnesses corroborated that the engine lost partial power after the airplane reached the end of the runway. The pilot chose to return to the runway and performed a 180-degree turn. Once the airplane was over the runway centerline, the pilot attempted to add power; however, the engine did not respond. Witnesses reported that, as the airplane neared the runway, the pilot "flared too high" and that the airplane then "stalled," descended, and impacted the runway. A postimpact fire ensued. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

On June 8, 2014, about 1540 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Steen Skybolt, N863SB, experienced a loss of engine power and impacted the runway at a private airstrip near Chapmansboro, Tennessee. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and firewall. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operating under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight, which was initiating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he performed a preflight inspection with no anomalies noted. In addition, he sumped the fuel tanks with no debris noted in the fuel. He stated that he added about 5 gallons of fuel to make the fuel tanks approximately one-quarter full, which would have been "plenty" of fuel for the 15-20 minute intended flight. He turned on the fuel boost pump in order to start the engine, and then did not use it after the engine successfully started. After taxiing to runway 20, he performed an engine run up and everything was "fine." Then, after takeoff, during the initial climb, about 200 feet above ground level and over the departure end of the runway, the pilot noticed the engine was not producing full power. He elected to return to the runway and performed a 180-degree turn. Once over the centerline of the runway, the pilot attempted to add power, however, the engine did not respond. The airplane impacted the runway and a postimpact fire ensued. According to witnesses, the airplane departed the private airstrip to the south. The engine ran "fine" until it reached the end of the runway, and then it began to run "rough." The airplane was about 300 feet above ground level when it lost partial power, and the pilot initiated a turn back to the runway. As the airplane neared the runway, the pilot "flared too high," the airplane "stalled," descended, impacted the grass strip, and a postimpact fire ensued. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane initially impacted the ground approximately 100 feet from where it came to rest on the turf runway. The fuselage, wings, and empennage were consumed by fire. The engine remained attached to the fuselage through the engine mounts. The airplane was a single-place, welded tube fuselage, wooden wing biplane, with conventional type landing gear. According to FAA records, it was assembled in 2000 and registered to the pilot/owner in 2008. It was equipped with a Continental Motors, Inc. IO-470-L21B, 260 horsepower, engine. According to the pilot, the maintenance records were consumed by the postimpact fire. However, a mechanic that helped the owner maintain the airplane indicated that the engine had accumulated about 800 hours since overhaul. The automated weather observation at Outlaw Field Airport (CKV),Clarksville, Tennessee, which was located 22 miles northwest of the accident location included wind from 360 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, clouds broken at 4,000 feet above ground level, temperature 27 degrees C, dew point 16 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.94 inches of mercury. The engine was examined on June 12, 2014, by a manufacturer representative under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The engine, fuel system, and ignition system components were heavily fire damaged, which precluded functional testing. However, crankshaft and camshaft continuity was obtained from the propeller flange back to the accessory section and out to the rocker arms and valves. The engine control cables remained attached to the engine although the support structure was consumed by fire. Overall, the inspection of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal operation and production of rated horsepower. For more information concerning the inspection, a field inspection report for the engine can be found in the public docket for this case.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N863SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N863SB-2018-04-18), registration cancelled 2018-04-18, S/N 01, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELEW MARSHALL D II STEEN SKYBOLT
- Registry model: [Belew Marshall D II STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/belew-marshall-d-ii-steen-skybolt) (registry code 05624QJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-470-series) (registry code 17044, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01
- Year built: 2000
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470 SER reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: TN77, Chapmansboro, TN
- Destination: TN77, Chapmansboro, TN
- Airport: TN77, Whifferdill, runway 20, 3,200 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: CKV, 22 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 20140608009159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140608009159A), Jun 8, 2014: Belew Marshall D II STEEN SKYBOLT, Chapmansboro, TN, Destroyed. According to witnesses, after takeoff the engine appeared to lose power at approimately 300-400 feet AGL. The pilot successfully returned to the runway however…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89388. 10.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 Not Submitted (item 1, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20Not%20Submitted-Master.PDF
- Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF
- Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Engine Examination Report (item 4, .PDF, 9.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Observations (item 5, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 6, .PDF, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 – View of Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of local newpaper) (item 7, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20local%20newpaper)-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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