# NTSB LAX94LA279: Frank M. Kopecky Quickie, N8036W, Camarillo, CA, July 10, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 1994, 17:09 local (Jul 10, 1994, 00:09 UTC) - Place: Camarillo, CA - Coordinates: 34.230545, -119.069671 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2305&lon=-119.0697&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 November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28793 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28793/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA279 ## Probable cause the failure or malfunction of the engine ignition system. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - ignition system - shorted (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis After takeoff on runway 26, the engine began to run rough as the aircraft reached 90 feet agl. Initially, when the pilot reduced the throttle almost to idle, the roughness dissipated. He then tried to advance the throttle, but the engine failed to develop any power. Anticipating an emergency forced landing and due to the lack of remaining runway, the pilot elected to turn toward a perpendicular taxiway. The pilot touched down in a flat open area beyond the taxiway. The left canard touched first causing the aircraft to ground loop. After an examination of the engine, the pilot concluded that a malfunction had occurred in the engine ignition system. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 1994, at 1709 Pacific daylight time, a homebuilt experimental Quickie airplane, N8036W, sustained substantial damage when it crashed on takeoff at Camarillo, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by a private individual and was on a local solo flight. Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent at the time and no flight plan had been filed for the operation. The certificated airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that prior to departure he performed a series of engine run-ups. The first two run-ups were performed with a series of full power static runs, in which the engine developed 2,800 rpms. The third run-up was described as a standard "before takeoff" procedure. On the final run-up, the engine rpm was advanced to 2,200 rpms. The pilot reported that the run-up series took approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete and that there were no abnormal indications during that time. The pilot stated that after completing the run-ups he taxied into position on runway 26 and initiated the takeoff roll. He reported that he rotated the aircraft at 55 mph and established his initial climb speed after takeoff at 70 mph. After reaching 90 feet agl in the initial climbout, the engine began to run rough. He said that he throttled back to almost idle and found that this dissipated the roughness. He said that he tried to advance the throttle, but the engine failed to develop any power. Anticipating an emergency forced landing and due to the lack of remaining runway, the pilot elected to turn left into the wind and toward a perpendicular taxiway. The pilot stated that he touched down in a flat open area beyond the taxiway at an estimated speed of 55 mph. The pilot said the left canard touched first causing the aircraft to ground loop, and resulting in major structural damage to the aircraft. The pilot, after a postaccident examination of the engine, concluded that a malfunction had occurred in the engine ignition system. Although he was unable to troubleshoot the specific problem, he said the simple nature of the system led him to suspect a possible ground fault or loss of continuity in a spark plug wire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8036W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8036W-1998-04-04), registration cancelled 1998-04-04, S/N 0194 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FRANK M. KOPECKY QUICKIE - Registry model: [Kopecky Frank M. QUICKIE](https://openairdocs.org/model/kopecky-frank-m-quickie) (registry code 0564559) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 194 - Airframe hours: 383 - Engines: ONAN B48GA018 18 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael L. Thompson - Registered owner: James D. Debay - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1994, 1 hours before - Airport: CMA, Camarillo, runway 26, 6,010 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,900 total, 3,990 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CMA ## 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 19940710018059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940710018059A), Jul 10, 1994: Amtrqk QUICKIE, Camarillo, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Force landed on a taxiway and ground looped. Magneto ground fault or ignition wire fault. 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.