GAA15CA143

NTSB accident investigation · Aventura II · Fenton, MI · July 17, 2015

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
July 17, 2015, 19:32 local (23:32 UTC)
Place
Fenton, MI
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N1204AAventura II
Defining event
Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report September 11, 2015
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
FAA
Case key
91456

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The failure of the student pilot to ensure that the experimental seaplane was airworthy prior to take off.

Findings · 6

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Planning/preparationPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotAll aircraft: 113 casesProbable cause
Knowledge: knowledge of equipmentPersonnel issues › Experience/knowledge · PilotAll aircraft: 69 casesProbable cause
Training: initial instruct/trainingPersonnel issues › Experience/knowledge · PilotAll aircraft: 9 casesProbable cause
MaintenancePersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotAll aircraft: 143 cases
Fuel systemAircraft › Aircraft systems · Not serviced/maintainedAll aircraft: 181 casesProbable cause
Object/animal/substance: tree(s)Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipmentAll aircraft: 933 cases

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

In an email sent to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI), by the student pilot, he reported that the experimental seaplane experienced a partial loss of engine power during takeoff about 400 feet above the ground. The student pilot stated that he turned the experimental seaplane toward the lake but as he ran out of "speed," he "pitched it to the right into some trees." A postaccident examination of the engine by the FAA ASI revealed that the fuel supply line to the forward carburetor was cracked and leaking. The cracked portion of the line was about ½ inch outboard of the carburetor fuel intake fitting. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage when it impacted trees.

Factual narrative

In an email sent to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI), by the student pilot, he reported that the experimental seaplane experienced a partial loss of engine power during takeoff about 400 feet above the ground. The student pilot stated that he turned the experimental seaplane toward the lake but as he ran out of "speed," he "pitched it to the right into some trees." A postaccident examination of the engine by the FAA ASI revealed that the fuel supply line to the forward carburetor was cracked and leaking. The cracked portion of the line was about ½ inch outboard of the carburetor fuel intake fitting. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage when it impacted trees. The student pilot did not return the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report as requested. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The FAA ASI stated that the experimental seaplane does not have an airworthiness certificate, operating limitations, registration certificate, or any logbooks or record of maintenance performed. He also stated that there wasn't evidence of a current annual condition inspection. The student pilot was not endorsed to act as Pilot in Command (PIC) for single-engine sea airplane or any other aircraft at the time of the accident.

Aircraft

Registration
N1204A
Reported as
Aventura II
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number
AP2A0008
Engine
reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
None
Registered owner
None
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Departed
Fenton, MI

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
43
Injuries
None
Certificate
Student
Medical
Class 3, Unknown
Seat
Left
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
32 total · 8 in this make and model · 10 in the last 90 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
260° at 8 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
86 °F, dew point 72 °F
Altimeter
29.79 inHg
Observed at
KFNT, 7 nm away

Docket · 4

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2015, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 4.7 MB in all.