# NTSB LAX05LA133: Clark Aerosport Scamp, N234HC, Chino, CA, April 11, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 11, 2005, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Chino, CA - Coordinates: 33.974723, -117.63639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9747&lon=-117.6364&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 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61291 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61291/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA133 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to the pilot/builder's excessive adjustment (lean) of the mixture setting at the carburetor. The pilot/builder's failure to perform a more comprehensive ground test prior to flight was a factor. ## 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 - fuel system,carburetor - output low (cause) - maintenance,adjustment - excessive, owner/builder (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, owner/builder (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - grass - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The airplane nosed over during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. Just prior to the accident flight, the pilot adjusted the mixture control at the carburetor because previous test flights indicated that the mixture was running too rich. He contacted the carburetor manufacturer and was advised to adjust the setting no greater than one turn. The pilot adjusted the setting one complete turn. Following an operational ground test at 2,700 rpm (full power is 3,600 rpm), he departed and climbed the airplane to 300 feet. The engine did not develop full power and he attempted to correct the problem by leaning the mixture. The condition worsened so he landed the airplane in a field. The airplane was going through its Phase I flight test and the airframe and engine had accumulated approximately 6 hours. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures with the airplane or engine. ## Factual narrative On April 11, 2005, at 1345 Pacific daylight time, an experimental single-seat Clark Aerosport Scamp (ARSPRT SCMP WT 16-3), N234HC, made an off-airport forced landing after a loss of engine power during the initial climb from Chino Airport, Chino, California. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot, also the registered owner and builder of the airplane, was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating from Chino at the time of the accident for the local area test flight. According to airport operations personnel, the pilot had just departed runway 26L. During the initial climb, he reported a partial loss of engine power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to land on runway 3, but landed just east of the runway in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over inverted. The Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator responded to the accident site. The airplane was a bi-wing airplane equipped with a Volkswagen engine. The engine was crushed aft toward the cockpit and the wings had collapsed on one another. The empennage section was crushed. Emergency response personnel plugged the fuel tank in order to prevent fuel from draining onto the ground. The airplane and engine had accumulated approximately 6 hours total time and were going through their Phase I flight testing. The pilot reported that just prior to the accident flight, he adjusted the mixture setting on the carburetor. Previous flight tests indicated that the mixture was running too rich. He contacted the carburetor manufacturer and was advised to adjust the control no greater than one full turn. The pilot adjusted the setting one complete turn. Prior to takeoff, he performed a test run at 2,700 rpm with no anomalies noted. Normal operation is at 3,600 rpm. When the airplane reached 300 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot realized that the engine was not developing full power, and he leaned the mixture attempting to correct the problem. The condition worsened and he continued, approximately 200 feet above ground level. The airspeed began to decay so he elected to land the airplane in a field. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N234HC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N234HC-2023-04-01), registration cancelled 2023-04-01, S/N 001, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Clark Aerosport Scamp - Registry model: [Clark Harold L ARSPRT SCMP WT 16-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/clark-harold-l-arsprt-scmp-wt-16-3) (registry code 0560652) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 6 - Engines: Volkswagen 2180CC 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harold Clark - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 5, 2005, 6 hours before - Departed: CNO, Chino, CA - Airport: CNO, Chino, runway 26L, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 1, 2004; seat: center; flight hours: 2,900 total, 37 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: CNO, 1 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 20050411007309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050411007309A), Apr 11, 2005: Amtr SCAMP, Chino, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that the aircraft engine began running rough shortly after takeoff. He notified the tower that he needed to return to the airport (emergency… 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.