# NTSB MIA91LA127: Travel Air 2000, N1572, Homestead, FL, April 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1991, 07:15 local (11:15 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Coordinates: 25.270009, -80.629859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.2700&lon=-80.6299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32854
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32854/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA127

## Probable cause

AN ON GROUND ENCOUNTER WITH WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT WERE FAVORABLE FOR CARBURETOR ICING AT A LOW POWER SETTING (GLIDE POWER), AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AFTER RECOGNIZING THAT THE ENG WAS NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat control - not installed
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENG START & RUN-UP PRIOR TO DEPARTURE WERE NORMAL. AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG WAS NOT DEVELOPING 'CLIMB' POWER.  HE THEN LEVELED THE ACFT TO ACCELERATE BUT THE RPM DROPPED.  DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & AN ENCLOSED PORCH.  PRELIMINARY EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE TEMPERATURE & DEW POINT TAKEN 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AT AN ARPT 7 NM NORTHEAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE RESPECTIVELY, 77 & 74 DEGREES F.  THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1572](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1572), registered now, S/N 225, built 1927 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TRAVEL AIR 2000
- Registry model: [Travel Air Mfg 2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/travel-air-mfg-2000) (registry code 2621606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 225
- Engines: Curtis Wright OX-5 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Defran, Richard L.
- Registered owner: Defran, Richard L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1990
- Airport: 6X6, Richards Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 668 total, 13 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 7 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 19910427012799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910427012799A), Apr 27, 1991: Curtis TRVAIR2000, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Struck trees and porch on forced landing. Carb icing factor. Not equipped carb heat.

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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