# NTSB MIA05LA098: Gordon E. Brown Nieuport C-1, N749GB, Homestead, FL, April 25, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 2005, 09:56 local (13:56 UTC) - Place: Homestead, FL - Coordinates: 25.55861, -80.514999 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.5586&lon=-80.5150&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61424 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61424/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05LA098 ## Probable cause The reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons on the downwind leg which resulted in a forced landing, and subsequent in-flight collision with a guy-wire and terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - guy wire - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The airplane became airborne during high-speed taxi testing, and the pilot elected to continue flying to familiarize himself with the crosswind landing characteristics before attempting a crosswind landing. He performed one circuit in the traffic pattern and after turning onto the downwind leg; he reduced power and immediately noticed a loss of altitude. He applied full throttle but noted that from three-quarters to full-throttle application, there was no increase in engine rpm. He attempted to turn left and fly under observed power lines but "the aircraft struck the lower guide wire which sheared the prop." The airplane then impacted the ground. He further reported the airplane did not stall. Postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed the airplane came to rest in brush in a nose-low attitude with the empennage elevated. The right wing was separated but found in close proximity to the wreckage. The wooden propeller blades were "sheared and splinted off." No determination was made as to the reported loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 2005, about 0956 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Nieuport C-1, N749GB, registered to a private individual, collided with a powerline then crashed in a field near Richards Field Airport, Homestead, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal, local flight from Richards Field Airport. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The flight originated about 0951, from Richards Field Airport. The pilot stated he was performing high speed taxi tests on runway 27 in order to familiarize himself with the aircraft, and the airplane "suddenly became airborne..." and started to crab to the left. He aligned the longitudinal axis of the airplane to the runway but with insufficient runway remaining to land, elected to climb and return for landing. He performed 1 circuit to familiarize himself with the handling characteristics of the airplane before attempting a cross-wind landing, and while turning on the downwind leg during the second circuit, he reduced power and "...immediately noticed a loss of altitude." He applied full throttle but noted that from 3/4 to full throttle, there was no increase in engine rpm. He attempted to turn left and fly under observed powerlines but "the aircraft struck the lower guide wire which sheared the prop." The airplane then impacted the ground. He further reported the airplane did not stall. Postaccident examination of the airplane and accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed the airplane came to rest in brush in a nose-low attitude with the empennage elevated. The right wing was separated from the fuselage but in close proximity to the wreckage. The wooden propeller blades were "sheared and splinted off." No determination was made as to the reported loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N749GB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N749GB-2013-09-24), registration cancelled 2013-09-24, S/N 00749, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gordon E. Brown Nieuport C-1 - Registry model: [Brown Gordon E NIEUPORT C-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/brown-gordon-e-nieuport-c-1) (registry code 05604EA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 00749 - Airframe hours: 29 - Engines: Volkswagen 1835 CC 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2004, 0 hours before - Departed: 04FA, Homestead, FL - Destination: 04FA, Homestead, FL - Airport: 04FA, Richards Field Airport, runway 27, 2,620 × 212 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2004; seat: single; flight hours: 418 total, 311 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KHST ## 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 20050425008979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050425008979A), Apr 25, 2005: NIEUPORTC1, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 25, 2005 at approximately 1030AM at richards field, a Private airstrip in Homestead Florida, an experimental operator/owner was ground taxiing a… 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.