# NTSB IAD05LA070: Snyder Sky Scout, N314ES, Round Lake, NY, May 27, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 2005, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Round Lake, NY - Coordinates: 42.929164, -73.770278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9292&lon=-73.7703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61595 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61595/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA070 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the soft field. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Gear collapsed, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis Following a recent overhaul of the Ford Model A engine, the pilot ran the engine on the ground for about 24 hours. On the day of the accident, the pilot test ran the engine for about 1 hour, and then performed several high-speed taxis down the runway, during which he noted no engine problems. He subsequently elected to take off. During the initial climb, he noticed that the engine coolant temperature had risen significantly, and shortly thereafter the engine began to lose power. The pilot determined that the airplane would not reach the runway due to obstructions, and elected to land the airplane in a field. During the landing on the soft, wet field the landing gear collapsed. Post accident inspection of the engine revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 2005, about 1915 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Sky Scout, N314ES, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Round Lake Airport (W57), Round Lake, New York. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, and during a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he was in the process of purchasing the amateur-built airplane from its previous owner, who was also the builder. The airplane's engine had recently been overhauled by an automotive engine overhaul facility specializing in antique Ford engines. Following the overhaul, the engine was run by the pilot, on the ground, for about 24 hours. Prior to the accident flight, the pilot ran the airplane's engine for about 1 hour. The engine "checked out ok," so he then performed several high-speed taxis down the length of the turf runway, with no engine problems noted. He then increased the throttle to full power, and departed from runway 32. Upon reaching the end of the runway, he turned the airplane right, then began a "slow," straight ahead climb. Just prior to turning onto the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot noted that the engine coolant temperature had reached 200 degrees Fahrenheit, when it had been 150 degrees Fahrenheit during the takeoff. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine made a sound described by the pilot as a "whoose," and began to lose power. The pilot decided that due to the trees and power lines between his position and the runway, he would land the airplane in a soft, wet field, adjacent to the airport. During the landing roll, the landing gear collapsed causing substantial damage to both wooden wing spars. On June 6, 2005 a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector conducted a teardown inspection of the "Ford Model A" engine. No anomalies were noted. The weather reported at Schenectady County Airport (SCH), Schenectady, New York, located 8 nautical miles southwest, at 1945, included calm winds, and clear skies below 12,000 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N314ES](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N314ES-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N S-4, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Snyder Sky Scout - Registry model: [Snyder Edward SKY SCOUT](https://openairdocs.org/model/snyder-edward-sky-scout) (registry code 05602OE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Ford CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ford-conversion) (registry code 26701, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S-4 - Airframe hours: 49 - Engines: Ford Model-A 40 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2005, 24 hours before - Departed: W57, Round Lake, NY - Airport: W57, Round Lake Airport, runway 32, 2,028 × 76 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 6,873 total, 0 in this make and model, 6,627 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: SCH, 8 nm away ## 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 20050527018789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050527018789A), May 27, 2005: Amtr SKYSCOUT, Round Lake, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed runway 32. After gaining only about 100', pilot reported that the water temperature was 230 degrees. Pilot turned right to return to… 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.