# NTSB ERA20LA286: Just JA 30 Superstol, N146BB, Clover, SC, August 15, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 15, 2020, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Clover, SC - Coordinates: 35.108333, -81.175277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1083&lon=-81.1753&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101799 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA286 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101799/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101799 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA286 ## Probable cause The separation of a spark plug lead, resulting in a partial loss of engine power and collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058597): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Matt Mcswain JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058597/cases.md?model=05635BN), [All aircraft, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058597/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Matt Mcswain JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=05635BN), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/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: [Matt Mcswain JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05635BN), [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: [Matt Mcswain JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05635BN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Matt Mcswain JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05635BN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the initial takeoff, the airplane was not developing adequate lift and was not climbing as expected. He maneuvered to avoid trees at the end of the runway; however, the airplane collided with the trees and the pilot lost airplane control. The airplane came to rest in a wooded area and sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed adequate fuel for the flight. Further examination of the engine revealed that one of the spark plug leads became disconnected and there was no postaccident impact damage in this area. The separated spark plug lead most likely resulted in a partial loss of engine power during takeoff. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 2020, about 1530 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur built Just Aircraft LLC, JA30 Superstol, N146BB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at a private airstrip near Clover, South Carolina. The private pilot had minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he landed at a private, grass airstrip during the flight from York Airport (01SC), York, South Carolina, to Gastonia Municipal Airport (AKH), Gastonia, North Carolina. He landed uneventfully and taxied for a takeoff to the northwest. During the initial climb, he noted that the airplane was not developing lift or climbing as he expected. He maneuvered to avoid some trees; however, the airplane contacted the trees and he was unable to maintain control. The airplane crashed in a wooded area and he was met by first responders. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He reported that there was substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. There was no fire. The inspector found adequate fuel on board for the flight. The propeller was splintered from contact with trees. Internal engine continuity was established. The linkage to the engine controls was intact. Further examination of the engine revealed that the right, forward cylinder spark plug lead was separated from the plug. There was no evidence of impact damage in this area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N146BB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N146BB-2022-09-03), registration cancelled 2022-09-03, S/N JA335-12-13, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Just Aircraft LLC JA 30 Superstol - Registry model: [Matt Mcswain JA30 SUPERSTOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/matt-mcswain-ja30-superstol) (registry code 05635BN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912S series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912s-series) (registry code 55570, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JA335-12-13 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 250 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 20, 2020 - Destination: AKH, Gastonia, NC - Airport: PVT, N/A, runway 32, 1,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,402 total, 350 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KAKH, 5 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 20200815015759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200815015759A), Aug 15, 2020: Matt Mcswain JA30 SUPERSTOL, Clover, SC, Substantial damage. The pilot was conducting a normal takeoff when he realized the plane was not generating the normal amount of power. The aircraft became airborne, but was… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101799. 18.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 13.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11805315&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB memorandum for record - pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 418 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11804976&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Statement-Rel.pdf - NTSB memorandum for record - FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11805673&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11805419&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.