# NTSB MIA00LA244: Siai-Marchetti F260B, N800RH, Meridianville, AL, August 23, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 2000, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Meridianville, AL - Coordinates: 34.869934, -86.570289 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8699&lon=-86.5703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50067 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50067/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA244 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation which resulted in fuel contamination going undetected, which resulted in a forced landing and substantial damage to the aircraft during the emergency landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination,water - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - other ## Analysis The pilot stated that upon departure, while climbing through an altitude of about 50 to 70 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly ceased operating, with no prior warning. He further stated that he switched the fuel tank selector switch from the right fuel tank to the left one, but the engine did not restart, so he executed a forced landing in an open area. During the emergency landing the engine suddenly started, but the left wing and tail section struck a metal structure, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. Witnesses stated that they observed the takeoff, and the engine sounded as if it was developing full power but shortly after takeoff it sounded rough for a brief period, and then ceased operating. The FAA inspector who conducted the post accident examination said that he checked the airplane's fuel tanks and found 1/4 inch of water in the right tank drain. The inspector further stated that the engine was operated for a period of about 5 minutes and it operated normally with no loss of power. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 2000, about 0930 central daylight time, a Siai-Marchetti, N800RH, registered to and operated by a private owner, as a Title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, crashed after takeoff from Madison County Airport, in Meridianville, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant was not injured, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he performed the full preflight inspection, and everything was normal. The pilot further stated that upon departure from runway 08, while climbing through an altitude of about 50 to 70 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly ceased operating, with no prior warning. The pilot said he immediately switched from the right fuel tank to the left one, but the engine did not restart, so he executed a forced landing in an open grass area, on the west side of runway 18. The pilot said that during the landing rollout, the engine started, but the left wing and tail section struck a metal structure, and the airplane was damaged. A witness stated that he heard the takeoff, and it sounded as if the engine was developing full power. The witness further stated that immediately after the airplane had lifted off, he heard the engine make sounds as if it was "missing," and he continued to watch as the airplane returned to the ground. A second witness, a FAA licensed mechanic, stated that he had been watching the airplane the whole time, and he had observed the takeoff, and the engine sounded as if it was developing full power while the airplane was on the takeoff roll. The mechanic further stated that just after takeoff, at an altitude of about 100 feet, the engine sounded rough for a very brief period of about 2 to 3 seconds duration, and then the engine ceased operating. The mechanic said he then saw the aircraft descend behind a small dip in the terrain, out of sight. The mechanic said he then saw a cloud of dust, and at the same time, heard the sound of the airplane's engine again. About 2 to 3 minutes later, the mechanic said he saw the airplane taxiing back to the ramp where it had been prior to taxiing for the takeoff. The FAA inspector who conducted the postaccident examination of the aircraft stated that he checked the airplane's fuel tanks, and he took fuel samples from each sump drain. The inspector further stated that he found 1/4 inch of water in the right tank drain. He said he also took fuel samples from the remaining tanks, but found no sediment or water in the remaining tanks. The inspector also said that the following day he conducted a static test on the engine. He said that the engine was operated, utilizing fuel from the right tank. According to the inspector, full power was applied for 3 to 5 minutes, and the engine operated normally with no loss in power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N800RH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N800RH-2018-04-16), registration cancelled 2018-04-16, S/N 11-02 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Siai-Marchetti F260B - Registry model: [Siai-Marchetti F.260B](https://openairdocs.org/model/siai-marchetti-f-260b) (registry code 8121209) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11-02 - Airframe hours: 1763 - Engines: Continental IO540D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Phillip W. Knight - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 2000, 46 hours before - Departed: M82 - Destination: LNK, LINCOLN, NE - Airport: M82, Madison County Executive ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,461 total, 47 in this make and model, 5,198 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HSV, 18 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 20000823008769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000823008769A), Aug 23, 2000: Mrchti F260B, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) On takeoff at 50 to 70 feet AGL the engine on N800RH quit with the right tank selected. Due to the short distance of runway left. A landing was completed… 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.