# NTSB ERA16LA156: Atkinson Eaglet, N5AQ, Deland, FL, April 13, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 13, 2016, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Deland, FL - Coordinates: 29.104166, -81.31472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1042&lon=-81.3147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 1, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93012 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93012/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93012 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA156 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to a separation of the ignition plug. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057400): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Atkinson EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057400/cases.md?model=05647W8), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057400/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Atkinson EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05647W8), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Atkinson EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=05647W8), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Atkinson EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05647W8), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Atkinson EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05647W8), [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: [Atkinson EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05647W8), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Atkinson EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05647W8), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot of the experimental, amateur-built motorglider reported that, after takeoff, the primary engine experienced a total loss of power about 75 ft above ground level, and the secondary engine was unable to maintain the motorglider's altitude. The pilot tried to make a 180° turn back to the airport, but the motorglider lost altitude and struck the top of pine trees. The primary engine was a 17-hp reciprocating engine designed for use in model aircraft, and the secondary engine was an electric motor. Both engines were necessary to produce enough power for takeoff. The pilot stated that, after takeoff, the motorglider encountered turbulence, which likely resulted in the separation of the primary engine's ignition plug. ## Factual narrative On April 13, 2016, about 1230 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Eaglet motorglider, N5AQ, was substantially damaged when it impact trees shortly after takeoff from Bob Lee Flight Strip (1J6), Deland, Florida. The sport pilot incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.The pilot report that after takeoff, the main reciprocating pusher engine failed about 75 feet above ground level and the secondary electric motor was unable to maintain the motorglider's altitude. The pilot tried to make a 180-degree turn back to the airport, but the motorglider lost altitude and contacted the top of pine trees. The tail of the motorglider caught the top of a tree, preventing it from colliding with the ground. The motorglider was approximately 1 foot off the ground when the pilot unlatched his seatbelt and jumped to the ground. The pilot also reported that he had installed a DLE-170 cubic centimeter, 17 horse power engine and ignition system on the motorglider. He believed that during takeoff, he encountered moderate turbulence and the engine ignition system disconnected. He stated he believed that the certified motorglider was an ultralight and he did not need approval to modify it or keep paperwork, logbooks, and flight logs. The installed engine was designed for model airplanes. The pilot reported that he held a sport pilot certificate and had accrued 130 total hours flight experience, with 40 hours in the same make and model as the motorglider. Examination of the motorglider by an NTSB investigator revealed that the wing leading edges were cracked from tree limb contact. The left elevator was fractured off the hinges and the right elevator leading edge was crushed by contact with tree limbs. The canopy was broken in several pieces. The pilot had removed and transported the engine and ignition system prior to the examination, and they were not available for examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5AQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5AQ-2018-03-05), registration cancelled 2018-03-05, S/N 005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ATKINSON EAGLET (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Atkinson EAGLET](https://openairdocs.org/model/atkinson-eaglet) (registry code 05647W8) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider, amateur-built - Serial number: 005 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: Hacker A200 electric; DLE 170 17 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Charter - Registered owner: Rolinski Alexander S - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 1J6, Deland, FL - Destination: 1J6, Deland, FL - Airport: 1J6, Bob Lee Flight Strip, runway 9, 3,300 × 72 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 130 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: DED, 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 20160413004609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160413004609A), Apr 13, 2016: Atkinson EAGLET, Deland, FL, Substantial damage. On April 13, 2016, about 1230 eastern daylight time, an Atkinson Eaglet motorglider, N5AQ, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 17, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93012. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450102&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Wreckage Examination and Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450103&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Wreckage%20Examination%20and%20Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - Pilot Interview Summaries (item 3, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 4, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450105&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.