LAX04LA166

The airplane collided with trees and terrain following a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. The pilot reported that he had just dropped off a passenger and was repositioning the airplane to another airport. At 200 to 300 feet above ground level (agl) in the takeoff initial climb the engine lost power. He attempted to turn back to the runway but did not have enough altitude. He elected to stall the airplane into the trees on the south slope of the airport boundary. The accident was witnessed by personnel at the airport. The witnesses reported that the pilot was departing using runway 23, the airplane took off and did a steep, almost vertical ascent, and banked hard to the left (south). The pilot appeared to stall the airplane, as it went into the trees on the south side of the runway. The pilot held an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate and was the primary maintainer of the airplane. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the wreckage at the accident scene and Safety Board investigators later examined the wreckage following recovery. Disassembly of the gascolator revealed that both the upper and lower gaskets in the gascolator were 1/8 to 3/16 inches smaller in diameter than the gascolator canister and the top and bottom covers. The investigators observed that in order to affect a seal, both gaskets had to be centered when installed. Both gaskets were off center. No fuel was observed in the fuel lines and the manifold valve was disassembled and found to be dry and void of any fuel. The manifold valve body and screen were clean. No other discrepancies were found during the engine examination.

History of flight

On March 18, 2004, about 1430 Pacific standard time, a Globe GC-1B, N369BZ, collided with trees and terrain following a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb at Placerville Airport (PVF), Placerville, California. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed Placerville about 1430, en route to Cameron Airpark (O61) Cameron Park, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 38 degrees 43.266 minutes north latitude by 120 degrees 45.509 minutes west longitude.

The pilot reported that he had just dropped off a passenger and was repositioning the airplane to Cameron. On the initial climb out, at 200 to 300 feet above ground level (agl), the engine quit. He attempted to turn back to the runway but did not have enough altitude. He elected to stall the airplane into the trees on the south slope of the airport boundary.

The accident was witnessed by personnel at the airport. The first responders to the accident site turned off the fuel selector switch. They assisted the pilot out of the airplane and transported him to the hospital.

The witnesses reported that the pilot was departing using runway 23; the airplane took off and did a steep, almost vertical ascent, and banked hard to the left (south). The pilot appeared to stall the airplane, as it went into the trees on the south side of the runway.

The pilot had refueled the airplane at Cameron with a total of 28 gallons. He had flown to Livermore Airport (LVK) and then to Placerville.

The airplane was recovered and transported for further investigation.

The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). He stated that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

Personnel information

A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine and multiengine land. The pilot held a certified flight instructor (CFI) certificate with ratings for airplane single engine and multiengine land, and instrument airplane. The pilot held an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate.

The pilot held a first-class medical certificate issued on January 15, 2004. It had no limitations or waivers.

The pilot reported a total flight time of 9,060 hours. He logged 102 hours in the last 90 days, and 51 in the last 30 days. He had en estimated 750 hours in this make and model. He completed a biennial flight review on January 29, 2004.

Aircraft information

The airplane was a Globe GC-1B Swift, serial number 1302. A review of the airplane's logbooks revealed a total airframe time of 1,655 hours at the last annual inspection. The logbooks had an entry for an annual inspection dated October 01, 2003.

The engine was a Teledyne Continental Motors IO-360C engine, serial number 50643-6-C. Total time on the engine at the last annual inspection was 3,272 hours. The total time since overhaul was 980 hours.

The owner/pilot was the primary mechanic of record for the accident airplane.

Wreckage and impact information

Investigators from the FAA examined the wreckage at the accident scene. The airplane came to rest south of the runway on a hillside about 100 feet downslope from the runway elevation.

Tests and research

The FAA and Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) were parties to the investigation.

Investigators examined the wreckage at Plain Parts, Sacramento, California, on March 23, 2004.

Investigators removed the top spark plugs. All spark plugs were clean with no mechanical deformation. The spark plug electrodes were gray in color, which corresponded to normal operation according to the Champion Aviation Check-A-Plug AV-27 Chart.

A borescope inspection revealed no mechanical deformation on the valves, cylinder walls, or internal cylinder head.

Investigators manually rotated the engine with the propeller. The engine rotated freely and the valves moved approximately the same amount of lift in firing order. The gears in the accessory case turned freely. Investigators obtained thumb compression on all cylinders in firing order.

No fuel was observed in the fuel lines, and the manifold valve was disassembled and found to be dry and void of any fuel. The manifold valve body and screen were clean.

Investigators manually rotated the engine and both magnetos produced spark for all cylinders.

On April 19, 2004, investigators inspected the fuel system. They disassembled and inspected the gascolator. Both the upper and lower gaskets in the gascolator were 1/8 to 3/16 inches smaller in diameter than the gascolator canister and the top and bottom covers. They observed that in order to affect a seal, both gaskets had to be centered when installed. Both gaskets were off center.

Investigators attempted to start the engine, but were unsuccessful. The fuel line for the engine driven fuel pump was broken at the casting. An attempt to repair the damaged line was unsuccessful.

Additional information

The IIC released the wreckage to the owner's representative.