# NTSB IAD96LA096: Little Scamp, N9995A, Worthington, KY, June 15, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 1996, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Worthington, KY - Coordinates: 38.550678, -82.729057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5507&lon=-82.7291&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 February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28066 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28066/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA096 ## Probable cause was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons shortly after liftoff. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the '...takeoff seemed normal..., but [the airplane] failed to establish [a] good climb out... .' The pilot reported that he was 'out of options [and] landed straight ahead...impacted tree[s on the] other side.' The FAA Inspector stated that an engine teardown was conducted, but there was no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The pilot reported that he had 1 hour of flight time in the accident make and model airplane. He stated that there was about 4 gallons of fuel on board the airplane when the accident occurred. Records indicate that the airplane had not been flown or refueled since 8/12/95. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 1996, at about 1815 eastern daylight time, a Little Scamp, N9995A, a homebuilt airplane, collided with trees at the end of the runway after the airplane's engine lost partial power during takeoff at the Ashland-Boyd County Airport, in Worthington, Kentucky. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that the engine run-up and takeoff seemed normal, but that the airplane failed to establish a good rate of climb after takeoff. The pilot reported that he was "out of options [and] landed straight ahead...impacted tree[s on the] other side." The former owner/builder of the experimental airplane stated that he built the airplane in 1980, and that he had sold the airplane to the present owner on December 3, 1995. Records indicate that the airplane had not been flown since it was refueled on August 12, 1995. On August 12, 1995, five (5) gallons of 100 LL fuel were pumped into the airplane. One witness observed the airplane "...flying really low and it went sideways a little and [then] hit 2 trees." Witnesses reported that there was a strong smell of fuel, and they noted fuel leaking out of the airplane at the accident site. The pilot told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector that, although the airplane seemed to produce full power on takeoff, it was a hot day and the takeoff ground roll was longer than usual. The pilot reported 1 hour of total flight time in the accident make and model airplane. The FAA Inspector stated that he was unable to obtain a fuel sample to test for fuel contamination, because the fuel had leaked from the airplane at the accident site. According to the FAA Inspector, an engine teardown was conducted, and there was no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomaly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9995A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9995A-2013-01-07), registration cancelled 2013-01-07, S/N WT-16-3, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LITTLE SCAMP - Registry model: [Little-James WT-16-3 SCAMP](https://openairdocs.org/model/little-james-wt-16-3-scamp) (registry code 0564526) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: WT16-3 - Engines: Monnett VW-1850 reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fred E. Bazemore - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1995 - Departed: I28, KY - Airport: I28, Ashland-Boyd ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 609 total, 1 in this make and model, 566 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 3 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HTS, 15 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 19960615014119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960615014119A), Jun 15, 1996: Amtrai SCAMP, Ashland, KY, Substantial damage. Struck trees on takeoff due partial power loss. Possible fuel contamination. Not fueled or flow for 10 months. ## Other investigations on N9995A (1) 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. - [NTSB ATL81DLQ17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81DLQ17), May 24, 1981: Aero Sport Scamp (N9995A), Ashland, KY, substantial damage 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.