# NTSB MIA06LA066: Loehle P5151, N151RG, Lakeland, FL, March 17, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 17, 2006, 09:10 local (14:10 UTC) - Place: Lakeland, FL - Coordinates: 27.936111, -82.043891 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9361&lon=-82.0439&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 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - 15 - NTSB case key (mKey): 63370 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06LA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63370/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06LA066 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay in initiating landing flare during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power. A factor was the lack of correct venting of the carburetor float bowl. ## 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 - fuel system,carburetor - flow restricted (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The engine lost power shortly after takeoff, and the pilot said he "waited about 1 second too long" before flaring. The airplane landed hard, collapsing the left main landing gear and shearing off the left wing. The fuselage broke in half behind the cockpit. The Rotax 582 UL engine was later disassembled and examined. Numerous discrepancies were observed but most notably was the required factory vent holes were not in the carburetor vent tubes, and the vent tubes were less than 50% of the effective area required to vent the float chambers. Full power could not be achieved during a functional test. After removing the fuel vent tubes from the carburetor float bowl, the engine was restarted and full power was achieved without difficulty. ## Factual narrative On March 17, 2006, approximately 0910 eastern standard time, a Loehle P5151, N151RG, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it landed hard during a forced landing at South Lakeland Airport, Lakeland, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant aboard, received minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated the accident flight was the first flight of the day, and that he planned to fly locally before returning to the airport. Engine start, taxi, and pre-takeoff checks were uneventful. The airplane lifted off runway 32 at 65 mph and climbed at 80 mph. During the climb, approximately 120 feet above the ground and when the airplane was about three-quarters down the runway, the engine lost power. The pilot lowered the nose and observed trees straight head. He "banked slightly to the right and then started a smooth left bank towards runway." The pilot said he "waited about 1 second too long" before flaring. The airplane landed hard, collapsing the left main landing gear and shearing off the left wing. The fuselage broke in half behind the cockpit. On May 8, 2006, the Rotax 582 UL engine was disassembled and examined at Lockwood Aviation Supply, Sebring, Florida. In attendance were the National Transportation Safety Board and Rotax. Some of the discrepancies noted were: (1) the clutch system was aftermarket (non-Rotax) and the friction plates were worn and loose; (2) the exhaust system had been was modified contrary to installation requirements; (3) placement of the EGT probes were not of the required distance from the exhaust port (according to the installation manual); (4) fuel lines had been routed contrary to installation requirements; (5) required factory vent holes were not in the carburetor vent tubes, and the vent tubes were less than 50% of the effective area required to vent the float chambers; (6) carburetor retaining sockets were over-torqued, extruding the rubber gasket from under the clamping band; (7) the throttle cable return springs had been shortened, and the jet springs adjusted to the leanest fuel flow position. After installing a propeller and alternate gearbox, the engine was started but full power could not be achieved. After removing the fuel vent tubes from the carburetor float bowl, the engine was restarted and full power was achieved without difficulty. It was Rotax's opinion that the lack of correct venting of the carburetor float bowl caused the loss of engine power during takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N151RG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N151RG-2008-07-08), registration cancelled 2008-07-08, S/N 5151-14087785 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Loehle P5151 - Registry model: [Loehle P5151](https://openairdocs.org/model/loehle-p5151) (registry code 059001I) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5151-14087785 - Airframe hours: 0 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 1, 2006, 1 hours before - Departed: X49, Lakeland, FL - Airport: X49, South Lakeland Airport, runway 32, 4,025 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: single; flight hours: 1,213 total, 1,213 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: LAL, 20 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 20060317007699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060317007699A), Mar 17, 2006: Amtr LOEHLE5151, Mulberry, FL, Destroyed. (-23) Lost power on takeoff, landed hard and broke wings and landing gear off. Fuselage broken behind cockpit. Aircraft registered as amateur built, no… 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.