# NTSB ERA25LA062: Alexander S Rolinski BOT Journey, N814B, Ocean Isle Beach, NC, November 27, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 27, 2024, 13:19 local (18:19 UTC) - Place: Ocean Isle Beach, NC · Wooded Area, 300 feet off departure end of Runway 06 - Coordinates: 33.90932, -78.434686 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9093&lon=-78.4347&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, STSB, Rotech Flight Safety - NTSB case key (mKey): 195559 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195559/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195559 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA062 ## Probable cause Maintenance personnel’s failure to identify and remediate a buildup of oxides in one of the engine’s carburetors, which resulted in the seizure of the carburetor’s piston slide and a subsequent total loss of engine power during initial climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander S Rolinski BOT JOURNEY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=05639QO), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) - [Inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander S Rolinski BOT JOURNEY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500/cases.md?model=05639QO), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500/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: [Alexander S Rolinski BOT JOURNEY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=05639QO), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Alexander S Rolinski BOT JOURNEY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05639QO), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who was also a repairman who had recently completed maintenance on the airplane, reported that the recently installed engine had been running poorly and had previously experienced a loss of power during ground operations. While troubleshooting, the pilot discovered that the carburetor floats were improperly installed, so he replaced the carburetor floats and spark plugs. Maintenance records indicated that the carburetors were repaired three days before the accident, and the engine was reported to have operated satisfactorily following the maintenance. Additional ground runs and high-speed taxi tests were completed without reported anomalies. On the day of the accident, the pilot planned to perform a functional test flight and reported that all engine indications were normal during the takeoff roll and initial climb. While climbing through about 200 ft msl, the engine lost power without warning. The pilot initiated a left turn in an attempt to remain near the airport and maintain glide speed; however, the airplane descended into trees. The pilot was seriously injured and the airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed continuity throughout the crankshaft and valve train, normal compression on all cylinders, and no evidence of lubrication deficiencies, overheating, detonation, preignition, or other internal mechanical malfunctions. Examination of the carburetor for the engine’s number 2 and 4 cylinders revealed that its piston slide had seized due to a buildup of oxides in the chamber top cavity where the piston slide shank moved. No contamination was observed within the carburetor, and no other anomalies were revealed during the examination of the engine or fuel system. The engine manufacturer stated that a seized piston slide could result in reduced engine performance, rough engine operation, or improper fuel delivery to the cylinders. Given this information, it is likely that oxide buildup in the carburetor was not identified and remediated during the recent maintenance of the carburetors that had occurred just before the accident, which resulted in the seizure of its piston slide, and the subsequent total loss of engine power during the accident flight. ## Factual narrative On November 27, 2024, about 1319 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Bot Journey airplane, N814B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ocean Isle Beach, Norh Carolina. The pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight. The test flight occurred at Odell Williamson Municipal Airport (60J), Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. According to the pilot, who was also a light sport aircraft repairman, the airplane had recently been equipped with a used Rotax 912ULS engine that had been running poorly. A few days before the accident, the engine experienced a total loss of power during ground operations while a flight instructor was conducting ground runs, which included takeoff accelerations on the runway. During troubleshooting, the pilot discovered damaged and improperly installed carburetor floats. The pilot subsequently replaced the carburetor floats, replaced all eight spark plugs, and performed additional maintenance. The pilot and flight instructor then conducted several ground runs and high-speed taxi tests over a two-day period without reported anomalies. On the day of the accident, the pilot initiated a functional test flight from runway 06 at 60J. The pilot reported that all engine indications were normal during the takeoff roll and initial climb. While climbing through about 200 ft msl, the engine lost power without warning. The pilot initiated a left turn in an attempt to remain near the airport and maintain glide speed; however, the airplane descended into trees. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed impact damage to the engine and firewall assembly. The propeller sustained damage, with two blades separated at the hub and the third blade fractured near the hub. Examination of the engine revealed continuity throughout the crankshaft, valve train, and accessory systems. Thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders during manual rotation of the propeller shaft. Internal engine components exhibited evidence of normal lubrication and no indications of overheating, scoring, detonation, preignition, or other mechanical malfunctions. The fuel system was examined, and the fuel lines were secure and free of obstructions. Both carburetors were removed and inspected. The carburetor for cylinders 1 and 3 contained a small amount of fuel and no anomalies were noted. The floats were of the updated design, were within weight limits, and the carburetor slide, diaphragm, and throttle components operated normally. Examination of the carburetor for cylinders 2 and 4 revealed that the piston slide was seized in the fully down position and did not move freely within the carburetor body. After disassembly, the piston slide remained seized within the chamber top and could neither be separated nor rotated. The diaphragm was undamaged, and the throttle plate rotated normally throughout its full range of motion. No contamination wasobserved within the carburetor float bowl, and the floats were of the updated design and within allowable weight limits. The NTSB Materials Laboratory examined the carburetor for cylinder 2 and 4 and found that the piston slide was seized due to a buildup of oxides in the chamber top cavity where the piston slide shank moved in and out. A review of the maintenance records revealed that, three days before the accident, the carburetors were repaired in accordance with the Rotax maintenance manual, and the carburetor floats were replaced with the updated Rotax float design. The maintenance entry further stated that the engine was operated satisfactorily after the maintenance was completed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N814B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N814B), registered now, S/N SC20-014, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALEXANDER S ROLINSKI BOT JOURNEY - Registry model: [Alexander S Rolinski BOT JOURNEY](https://openairdocs.org/model/alexander-s-rolinski-bot-journey) (registry code 05639QO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: SC20-014 - Year built: 2021 - Airframe hours: 16.3 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 17, 2024 - Departed: 60J, Ocean Isle Beach, NC - Airport: 60J, Odell Williamson Municipal, runway 6, 4,198 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 23, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,272 total, 1,172 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: CRE, 15 nm away - METAR: SA 27/11/2024 18:53-> METAR KCRE 271853Z 14008KT 10SM FEW036 18/15 A2998 RMK AO1 SLP151 T01780150= ## 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 20241127018429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241127018429A), Nov 27, 2024: Alexander S Rolinski BOT JOURNEY, Ocean Isle, NC, Destroyed. Aircraft took off runway 6, experienced engine failure, stalled/ spun in the woods north of the runway, and impacted a tree and came to rest approximately 300… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195559. 10.0 MB in all. - FAA inspector's statement (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20522214&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements%20LA062_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Mx record excerpts (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20522614&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MX%20Logbooks%20excerpts%20LA062_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Rotax engine examination summary (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20522320&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N814B%20Investigation%20Field%20Notes-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20522204&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA062-Rel.pdf - Materials laboratory factual report 25-023 (item 5, PDF, 10 pages, 10 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18607585&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report%2025-023-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20521944&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WR%202_Redacted-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.