# NTSB MIA08LA134: Douglas A. Pohl Lancair IV-P, N488SD, Hollywood, FL, July 7, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 2008, 17:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Hollywood, FL
- Coordinates: 26.006666, -80.240554
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0067&lon=-80.2406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 22, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA / FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68387
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68387/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68387
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA134

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified; cases with it: [Pohl Douglas A LANCAIR IV-P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=05610NM), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Pohl Douglas A LANCAIR IV-P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05610NM), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Pohl Douglas A LANCAIR IV-P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05610NM), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pohl Douglas A LANCAIR IV-P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05610NM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Pohl Douglas A LANCAIR IV-P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05610NM), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Pohl Douglas A LANCAIR IV-P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05610NM), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Pohl Douglas A LANCAIR IV-P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05610NM), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Pohl Douglas A LANCAIR IV-P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05610NM), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Witnesses observed the experimental amateur-built airplane rotate about 2,100 feet (ft) down the 3,255-foot-long runway. When the airplane reached an altitude of 150 ft, at the departure end of the runway, there was an interruption of engine power. The airplane was observed to make a left turn and the bank angle increased. The airplane stalled when it reached about 80 degrees of bank, as it was going through a north heading. The airplane went straight down and impacted the ground nose first in a left spiral. A fire soon ensued, which consumed sections of the airplane. Examination of the wreckage did not disclose any evidence of a preimpact failure or malfunction with the airplane’s flight controls that would have prevented normal operation. Examination of the engine did not provide any evidence for the loss of power. Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 61-67C, makes reference to stalls. It states, when the airplane’s load factor increase (i.e., by putting the airplane in a steep turn or spiral) the loads are greater than in normal cruise flight. In a constant rate turn, increased load factors will cause an airplane's stall speed to increase as the angle of bank increases. Excessively steep banks should be avoided because the airplane will stall at a much higher speed.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 07, 2008, at 1755 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur built, Douglas A. Pohl Lancair IV-P, N488SD, crashed after a loss of engine power at the North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida. The pilot was killed and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was operated by the private pilot, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

Witnesses stated to the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, they observed the airplane depart from runway 9R. The airplane rotated at an estimated 2,100 feet (ft) down the runway. The landing gear retracted when it was about 50 ft above ground level (agl). When the airplane was at an estimated altitude of 150 ft agl, and past the departure end of the runway, there was an interruption of engine power. One witness stated it sounded like an 18-wheeler down shifting, while another witness stated it lost power completely. Immediately following the power interruption, the airplane was observed to make a left turn. It continued the turn and increased in bank angle. The airplane stalled when it reached about 80 degrees of bank, as it was going through a north heading. The airplane went straight down and impacted the ground nose first in a left spiral, adjacent to a tennis court located on the perimeter of the airport. The airplane came to rest on a 20-foot-tall tennis court fence. A fire ensued moments later, which consumed sections of the airplane, before the fire department was able to extinguish it.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, age 57, held a private pilot certificate, with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. He was issued a third-class medical certificate in December 2006, with a limitation of must wear corrective lenses. The pilot documented a total of 875 flight hours in all aircraft at the time of the medical. He also held a repairman experimental aircraft builder certificate and an inspection certificate for an experimental airplane make Pohl Lancair model IV-P, serial number LIV-008, as of July 09, 2001. A review of the pilot’s flight logbooks revealed that the pilot had a total of 1,255 hours total time.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The airplane was an experimental, amateur-built airplane, serial number LIV-008, and issued an experimental airworthiness certificate, normal category, on July 09, 2001. The airplane was certified in accordance with Title 14 of CFR Part 23 airworthiness standards. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that the airplane was under an annual condition / 100 hour aircraft inspection program. The last annual condition / 100 hour inspection was performed on August 15, 2007, at a total airframe time of 378 hours. The engine was a Silver Wing Aviation, Inc, AV8-470, liquid cooled, with an EPI Mark-9 PSRU gearbox driving the three-blade propeller assembly. The total time recorded on the engine at the last 100-hour inspection was 378 hours. Examination of the provided maintenance records revealed no unresolved maintenance discrepancies against the airplane prior to departure.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The HWO weather observation at 1753, recorded in part: winds 100 degrees at 11 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 31 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 23 degrees C; altimeter 30.07 inches of mercury.

COMMUNICATION

At 1752, the pilot contacted the HWO ground controller requesting taxi instructions for departure and was issued taxi instructions to runway 9 right. At 1754, the pilot contacted the HWO tower controller to advise he was ready for takeoff. The tower controller cleared him for takeoff on runway 9 right, which the pilot acknowledged. There was no additional communication.

AERODROME INFORMATION

The HWO airport has four operating runways, supporting north, south, west, and east operations. The airport is adjacent to residential homes and businesses. Runway 9 at the HWO is a published 3,255-foot-long by 100-foot-wide, asphalt, runway.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The airplane came to rest on a 180-degree magnetic heading. The front section of the airplane impacted the ground surface, separating the engine nacelle section from the fuselage. The forward cockpit area was ripped open. The fuselage, and attached wings, came to rest adjacent and partially on the tennis court’s 20 foot tall fence. The empennage section separated and remained partially attached to the fuselage, resting on the fence. A postimpact fire consumed sections of the right wing, sections of the right side of the fuselage cabin area, and the cabin crown section.

An airframe and engine examination was conducted by an airframe and powerplant certificated mechanic, with FAA oversight. No evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction was observed with the airplane’s flight controls that would have prevented normal operation. Examination of the engine, and its accessories, and remnants did not provide any evidence for the loss of power.

The inner quill shaft in the gearbox was observed fractured. The shaft assembly was sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for a metallurgical examination of the fractured surface. The examination revealed the fractured was from overload; a result from the impact sequence in the accident.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

A postmortem examination of the pilot was conducted under the authority of the Florida State

Medical Examiner, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 8, 2008. The cause of death for the pilot was attributed to multiple blunt force injuries.

The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) conducted toxicological testing on specimens from the pilot. The tests were negative for alcohol. Desmethylsertraline and Sertraline were detected in the blood and liver.

TEST AND RESEARCH

The FAA Advisory Circular 61-67C, Stall and Spin Awareness Training, makes reference to conditions where a stall will occur. It states, the possibility of inadvertently stalling the airplane by increasing the load factor (i.e., by putting the airplane in a steep turn or spiral) is much greater than in normal cruise flight. In a constant rate turn, increased load factors will cause an airplane's stall speed to increase as the angle of bank increases. Excessively steep banks should be avoided because the airplane will stall at a much higher speed. Recoveries from stalls and spins involve a tradeoff between loss of altitude and an increase in the load factor.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N488SD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N488SD-2009-03-12), registration cancelled 2009-03-12, S/N LIV-008, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Douglas A. Pohl Lancair IV-P
- Registry model: [Pohl Douglas A LANCAIR IV-P](https://openairdocs.org/model/pohl-douglas-a-lancair-iv-p) (registry code 05610NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: LIV-008
- Airframe hours: 378
- Engines: SWA 375 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas A Pohl
- Registered owner: Douglas A Pohl
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 15, 2007, 122 hours before
- Departed: HWO, Hollywood, FL
- Destination: FD15, Jupiter, FL
- Airport: HWO, North Perry Airport, runway 09R, 3,255 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 23, 2007; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,244 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: HWO

## 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 20080707855219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080707855219A), Jul 7, 2008: Amtr LANCAIRIVP, Hollywood, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) July 07, 2008, approx: 1757 eastern standard time, an (experimental) Lancair iv-p, N488SD aircraft registered and operated by [privacy data omitted] as…

## Other investigations on N488SD (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC01LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA184), Jul 23, 2001: Pohl Lancair IV-P (N488SD), Fryeburg, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial blockage of the air intake system, due to the pilot's failure to ensure the engine compartment was clear of paper towels after a maintenance inspection.

## Docket (18 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68387. 14.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 9 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323912&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 672 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323913&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Miscellaneous: North Perry (HWO) Airport Diagram. (item 3, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323916&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20North%20Perry%20(HWO)%20Airport%20Diagram.-Master.PDF
- Reports from Federal Agencies: Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector. (item 4, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector.-Redacted.PDF
- Miscellaneous: Excerpts From the Lancair IV Engine Operating and Maintenance Manual. (item 5, .PDF, 939 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Excerpts%20From%20the%20Lancair%20IV%20Engine%20Operating%20and%20Maintenance%20Manual.-Master.PDF
- Miscellaneous: Excerpts for the EPI Mark-9 PSCU Gearbox Installation and Operation. (item 6, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Excerpts%20for%20the%20EPI%20Mark-9%20PSCU%20Gearbox%20Installation%20and%20Operation.-Master.PDF
- Miscellaneous: Excerpts From the Airplane's Maintenance Records. (item 7, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Excerpts%20From%20the%20Airplane%27s%20Maintenance%20Records.-Redacted.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Metallurgical Examination Results. (item 8, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Metallurgical%20Examination%20Results.-Redacted.PDF
- Miscellaneous: Excerpt From Pilot's Flight Logbook. (item 9, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Excerpt%20From%20Pilot%27s%20Flight%20Logbook.-Redacted.PDF
- Toxicological Report (item 10, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 11, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323923&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1) Front View of Wreckage. Photo Provided by FAA. (item 12, .PDF, 868 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323985&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201)%20Front%20View%20of%20Wreckage.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20FAA.-Master.PDF
- Photo 2)Left View of Wreckage. Photo Provided by FAA. (item 13, .PDF, 950 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323992&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202)Left%20View%20of%20Wreckage.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20FAA.-Master.PDF
- Photo 3)View of Propeller Assembly. Photo Provided by FAA. (item 14, .PDF, 724 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203)View%20of%20Propeller%20Assembly.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20FAA.-Master.PDF
- Photo 4)View of Engine. Photo Provided by FAA. (item 15, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323988&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204)View%20of%20Engine.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20FAA.-Master.PDF
- Photo 5) View of Gearbox. Photo Provided by FAA. (item 16, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323993&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205)%20View%20of%20Gearbox.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20FAA.-Master.PDF
- Photo 6) View of Damaged Inner Quill Shaft. Photo Provided by FAA. (item 17, .PDF, 837 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323990&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206)%20View%20of%20Damaged%20Inner%20Quill%20Shaft.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20FAA.-Master.PDF
- Photo 7) View of Gearbox Assembly Components. Photo Provided by NTSB. (item 18, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323991&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207)%20View%20of%20Gearbox%20Assembly%20Components.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20NTSB.-Master.PDF

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.

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