# NTSB ERA22LA372: Thomas Wayne L THOMAS' Flyer, N35WT, Searsmont, ME, August 13, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 13, 2022, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Searsmont, ME · Rough Terrain - Coordinates: 44.322328, -69.20725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3223&lon=-69.2073&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 - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105739 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA372 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105739/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105739 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA372 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057300): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined; cases with it: [Thomas Wayne L THOMAS' FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057300/cases.md?model=05622KX), [All aircraft, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057300/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: [Thomas Wayne L THOMAS' FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05622KX), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Thomas Wayne L THOMAS' FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05622KX), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, this was the first time that the experimental, amateur-built airplane had been flown in 5 years. An aviation mechanic recently flushed the fuel tanks several times to ensure that they were clean and signed-off a condition inspection. After performing several engine run-ups, the pilot taxied to the active runway and took off. As the airplane climbed between 300 and 500 ft above the ground, the engine sustained a “very brief” stutter, then experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot attempted to return to the airport but was unsuccessful. The airplane descended and impacted on rough terrain near the departure end of the runway. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 2022, about 1400 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Thomas Flyer, N35WT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Ridgeview Airport (12ME), Searsmont, Maine. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, this was the first flight of the airplane in 5 years. An aviation mechanic flushed the fuel tanks several times to ensure they were clean and just approved the condition inspection. After making several engine run-ups, the pilot taxied to the active runway and took off. As the airplane climbed between 300 and 500 ft above the ground, the engine sustained a “very brief” stutter, then failed completely. The pilot completed a 180° turn back to the runway; however, after the turn the airplane did not have enough altitude to make it back to the runway and it impacted rough terrain. The airplane’s fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and an airframe and powerplant mechanic did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Damage to the propeller prevented the engine crankshaft from turning 360°; however, valvetrain continuity was observed during the crankshaft’s partial rotation. The spark plugs were removed and showed normal wear signatures. The carburetor had separated from the engine and a trace amount of debris was observed in the bowl. Examination of the fuel tanks revealed 15 gallons of fuel in the left tank and approximately 5 in the right tank. The right fuel tank was breached and leaking fuel at the accident site. The pilot stated that he took off with the fuel selector positioned on the left fuel tank position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N35WT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35WT), registered now, S/N TF-1, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: THOMAS WAYNE L THOMAS' FLYER - Registry model: [Thomas Wayne L THOMAS' FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomas-wayne-l-thomas-flyer) (registry code 05622KX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-290-D2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-290-d2) (registry code 42090, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: TF-1 - Year built: 2007 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 13, 2022, 40.1 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 12ME, Ridgeview, runway 15, 1,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 14, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 0 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KRKD, 16 nm away - METAR: METAR KRKD 131856Z AUTO 11008KT 10SM BKN070 23/12 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP176 T02330122 ## 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 20220813014539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220813014539A), Aug 13, 2022: Thomas Wayne L THOMAS' FLYER, Searsmont, ME, Substantial damage. Aircraft had not been flown in the last five years and had just come out of a condition inspection. Pilot had never flown the aircraft and this was his first… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105739. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14709184&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA372_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Mfr - FAA inspector and mechanic - wreckage examination (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17474400&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20FAA%20and%20mechanic%20observations%20LA372-Rel.pdf - NTSB memorandum - FAA inspector (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14800928&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20inspector%20MFR%20LA372-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14709204&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA372-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.