# NTSB FTW91DPA01: Donald E. Samuels Q2, N3147L, Gilmer, TX, February 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1991, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Gilmer, TX
- Coordinates: 32.730014, -94.939758 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7300&lon=-94.9398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91DPA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23188/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DPA01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN PROPER CLIMB PERFORMANCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT A GROSS WEIGHT AT OR NEAR MAXIMUM THE AIRPLANE GOT AIRBORNE ABOUT 2/3 DOWN THE 3,300 FOOT LONG STRIP.  THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN A CLIMB RATE SUFFICIENT TO CLEAR A POWER LINE OFF THE NORTH END OF THE RUNWAY.  THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT WITH A NEWLY INSTALLED CLIMB PROPELLER.  THE PILOT WAS INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY 3,300 RPM, VERSUS THE NORMAL 3500 RPM FULL POWER APPLICATION, FOR TAKEOFF WITH THIS PROPELLER. HE STATED HE PROBABLY COULD HAVE MISSED THE WIRES IF HE HAD GONE TO FULL POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3147L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3147L-1991-06-05), registration cancelled 1991-06-05, S/N 2595 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DONALD E. SAMUELS Q2
- Registry model: [Samuels Donald E QUICKIE Q 2](https://openairdocs.org/model/samuels-donald-e-quickie-q-2) (registry code 05645KM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2595
- Engines: REVMASTER 2100D 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David L. Breed
- Registered owner: Corey Fruge
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: 4F4, Upshur County, runway 35, 3,300 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910209001849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910209001849A), Feb 9, 1991: Amtrqk QUICKIE2, Gilmer, TX, Destroyed. On climbout struck wires and crashed. Had installed new prop.

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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