# NTSB FTW94LA133: Laurel Aero Club Cassutt III M, N8871, Strasburg, CO, April 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1994, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Strasburg, CO
- Coordinates: 39.730754, -104.300781 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7308&lon=-104.3008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA133

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. FACTORS WERE: A POWER FAILURE DUE TO A SHEARED ACCESSORY DRIVE GEAR, EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE, AND A SOFT FIELD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - sheared (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS AT AN ALTITUDE OF 10,000 FEET MSL.  THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE POWER WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.  HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING ON A FARM AIRSTRIP, BUT HIS ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED WERE EXCESSIVE AND HE OVERSHOT.  THE PILOT LANDED IN AN ADJACENT SOFT FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  THE PILOT LATER REPORTED THAT THE ACCESSORY DRIVE GEAR HAD SHEARED.

## Factual narrative

On April 22, 1994, approximately 1400 mountain daylight time, a Laurel Aero Club Cassutt III M, N8871, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Strasburg, Colorado.  The private pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to the pilot/operator report, the engine lost power when the airplane was at an altitude of 10,000 feet MSL (mean sea level) and 10 to 12 miles north of Strasburg.  The pilot's attempts to restore power were unsuccessful.  He attempted to make a forced landing on a farm airstrip, but his altitude and airspeed were excessive and he overshot.  The pilot landed in an adjacent soft field and the airplane nosed over.  The pilot later reported the accessory drive gear had sheared.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8871](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8871-1995-08-14), registration cancelled 1995-08-14, S/N 3C1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAUREL AERO CLUB CASSUTT III M (CASSUTT II)
- Registry model: [Laurel Aero Club CASSUTT III M](https://openairdocs.org/model/laurel-aero-club-cassutt-iii-m) (registry code 19704MA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3C-1
- Airframe hours: 350
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-8F 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stevens, Wayne E. II
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 1993, 23 hours before
- Departed: 01V, AURORA, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 256 total, 113 in this make and model, 216 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19940422009189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940422009189A), Apr 22, 1994: Amtrsx CASSUTT3M, Strasburg, CO, Substantial damage. Lost power at 1000FT. Tried land farm strip but overshot. Nosed over soft field. Accessory drive gear sheared.

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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