# NTSB LAX08LA025: Interplane XJ, N232PM, Independence, OR, November 2, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 2, 2007, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Independence, OR - Coordinates: 44.866943, -123.198059 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8669&lon=-123.1981&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67036 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67036/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA025 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a spin and collision with terrain ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing after takeoff - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Just after liftoff, the engine was not able to develop sufficient power for the initial climb. Although the engine never fully ceased operation, it was only able to produce partial power. The pilot stated that as the airplane reached about 2,000 feet down the runway he considered aborting the takeoff attempt, but the airplane was too high for the remaining runway. The airplane entered a spin and the pilot attempted to recover, which resulted in the airplane impacting the ground in a flat attitude. An examination of the engine revealed no mechanical or electrical malfunctions that would have precluded the engine from normal operation. ## Factual narrative On November 02, 2007, about 1530 Pacific daylight time, an Interplane XJ experimental light-sport airplane (E-LSA), N232PM, experienced a partial loss of power during takeoff from Independence State Airport, Independence, Oregon. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local area flight was originating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a telephone conversation with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot's spouse stated that she had spoken to her husband following the accident. Although his physical impairment prohibited him from talking in depth with regards to the circumstances of the accident, he relayed to her that the airplane's engine was not able to develop sufficient power for takeoff. He further indicated that although the engine never fully ceased operation, it was only able to produce partial power. He attempted to maneuver the airplane in a level position and it hit hard in an open field remaining in the flat attitude. The pilot submitted a written statement reporting that although the accident airplane had accumulated 80.6 hours of flight time, the accident flight was to be his first time flying it. He had expected the flight parameters to be comparable to similar airplanes that he had a wide array of experience piloting. Following a normal preflight inspection and run-up, the pilot aligned the airplane on the runway for takeoff. After the application of full throttle, the airplane began down the runway, and the engine appeared to be producing full power. The pilot noted that he did not verify the revolutions per minute (rpm) indication inside the cockpit; rather, he was focusing on the handling characteristics of the airplane. The pilot further stated that as the airplane reached about 2,000 feet down the runway he considered aborting the takeoff attempt, but the airplane was too high. The airplane entered a spin and the pilot attempted to recover, which resulted in the airplane impacting the ground in a flat attitude. An examination of the Rotax 912 engine was conducted under the auspice of a Federal Aviation Administration inspector on January 10, 2008, in Independence. The initial examination of the engine disclosed that the damage incurred during the accident was minimal, thus facilitating an attempted engine run and functional checks. The engine started and operated as expected; no mechanical or electrical malfunctions were found that would have precluded the engine from normal operation. The complete examination notes are contained in the public docket for this accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N232PM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N232PM), registered now, S/N 3543, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Interplane XJ - Registry model: [Interplane XJ](https://openairdocs.org/model/interplane-xj) (registry code 0590078) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-series) (registry code 55569, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3543 - Airframe hours: 80.1 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 1, 2007, 0.7 hours before - Departed: 7S5, Independence, OR - Destination: 7S5, Independence, OR - Airport: 7S5, Independence State Airport, runway 34, 2,935 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,301 total, 1,301 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: 7S5 ## 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 20071102824169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071102824169A), Nov 2, 2007: Interp XJ, Independence, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Shortly after takeoff from rwy 34 at 7S5, at a height of approximately 75 feet AGL the nose of the aircraft pitched down abruptly. The aircraft… 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.