# NTSB MIA08LA186: Tetrault Ronad Team Mini Max 1500R, N43436, Berkley, MA, September 7, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 7, 2008, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Berkley, MA - Coordinates: 41.836666, -71.022499 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8367&lon=-71.0225&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68887/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA186 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to the contamination of the combustion cylinders. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Tetrault Ronald SR TEAM MINI MAX 1500R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=05619BF), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Tetrault Ronald SR TEAM MINI MAX 1500R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05619BF), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Tetrault Ronald SR TEAM MINI MAX 1500R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05619BF), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner of the amateur-built airplane stated that during a local flight at 1,000 feet above ground level, he experienced a total loss of engine power. He made an emergency landing on a beach and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane was released to the pilot for further examination of the engine. The pilot stated that during the examination of the Rotax 447 engine, he found large amounts of carbon build-up on the rings. Additionally, the cylinder walls were scored. Valve train continuity could not be established due to the carbon build-up. No other mechanical anomalies were noted by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On September 7, 2008, about 1700 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Team Mini Max 1500R, N43436, experienced a total loss of engine power and made a forced landing on a beach near Berkley, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged by impact forces. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual flight rules (VFR) conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot was also the owner/builder of the airplane. He stated that he was on a local flight at 1,000 feet above ground level, when he experienced a loss of engine power. He said that he executed an emergency landing on a beach; however, during the emergency landing the right wing impacted the ground and buckled. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right wing was buckled. Further examination revealed that 4 gallons of fuel remained in the header tank and 1 gallon was in the aft tank. The airplane was released to the pilot for further examination of the engine. The pilot stated that during the examination of the Rotax 447 engine, he found large amounts of carbon build-up on the rings. Additionally, the cylinder walls were scored. Valve train continuity could not be established due to the carbon build up. No other mechanical anomalies were noted by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43436](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43436), registered now, S/N P-98 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Tetrault Ronad Team Mini Max 1500R - Registry model: [Tetrault Ronald SR TEAM MINI MAX 1500R](https://openairdocs.org/model/tetrault-ronald-sr-team-mini-max-1500r) (registry code 05619BF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 447](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-447) (registry code 55576, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P-98 - Airframe hours: 600 - Engines: Rotax 447 40 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ronald Tetrault - Registered owner: Ronald Tetrault - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2008, 37 hours before - Departed: MA18, BERKLEY, MA - Destination: MA18, BERKLEY, MA - Airport: RI07, Wing-Over Farm ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: center; flight hours: 600 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: BOS, 47 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 20080907845079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080907845079A), Sep 7, 2008: Amtr MINIMAX1500R, Tiverton, RI, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft lost power at approximately 1000 ft MSL. Pilot made an emergency landing onto a closed bridge. The aircraft landed on the bridge then bounced… 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.