- Date
- February 4, 1995, 19:30 local (Feb 5, 1995, 00:30 UTC)
- Place
- St. Augustine, FL
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N14032Aerofab Lake LA-250
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report May 18, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950204001129A
- Case key
- 37727
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The improper adjustment of the turbocharger inlet pipe securing clamp by unknown maintenance personnel.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The engine lost power shortly after takeoff and the pilot did not have time to extend the landing gear before landing back on the runway. After the pilot and passenger exited the aircraft they noticed the engine compartment was engulfed in flames. Post crash examination by FAA inspectors revealed a securing clamp on the turbocharger inlet pipe was not properly adjusted and the inlet pipe separated from the turbocharger. The escaping exhaust burned through the main fuel line to the engine and through the oil lines to the oil cooler.
Factual narrative
On February 4, 1995, about 1430 eastern standard time, a Lake LA-4, registered to Phillip Adams, lost engine power and was landed gear up shortly after takeoff from St. Augustine Airport, St. Augustine, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated that upon reaching an altitude of 100-125 feet after takeoff the engine stopped. Time did not allow him to extend the landing gear and he landed gear up on the remaining runway. After exiting the aircraft he determined that the engine was on fire.
Postcrash examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector indicated a securing clamp and cable on the turbocharger inlet pipe was not properly adjusted. The inlet pipe separated from the turbocharger and the escaping exhaust burned through the main fuel line to the engine and through the oil lines to the oil cooler.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N14032
- Reported as
- Aerofab Lake LA-250 (LAKE LA-25)
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 36
- Airframe hours
- 1,580
- Engine
- Lycoming TIO-540-AA1AD, 270 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Fire
- In-Flight
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Adams, Phillip F.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 12, 1994 · 149 hours before
- Departed
- SGJ
- Destination
- FD46 · Frost Proof, FL
- Airport
- SGJ · St. Augustine, runway 31, 6,939 × 150 ft, asphalt
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 57
- Certificates
- Private, Military
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Single-engine sea
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 2,528 total · 2,407 in this make and model · 2,528 as pilot in command · 39 in the last 90 days · 15 in the last 30 days · 11 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 290° at 18 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 50 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- CRG, 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.