MIA96LA228

NTSB accident investigation · Canadair T-33 · Punta Gorda, FL · September 7, 1996

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
September 7, 1996, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
Place
Punta Gorda, FL
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N99195Canadair T-33
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 29, 1997
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19960907026379A
Case key
38086

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

failure of the pilot to extend the wing flaps for takeoff, and his failure to attain sufficient airspeed for flight with the flaps retracted, which resulted in a stall/mush after lift-off.

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.

In flight collision with terrain/waterTakeoff
Checklist - not followedPilot in commandCause
Lowering of flaps - not performedPilot in commandCause
Airspeed - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Stall/mush - inadvertentPilot in command
Terrain condition - soft

Analysis

After takeoff, the aircraft began to mush and would not accelerate. The pilot landed straight ahead in a field. After the aircraft came to rest, the pilot exited the aircraft, and the engine continued to run, causing a fire in the field. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that the engine developed 100 percent power for takeoff and that he did not use wing flaps for takeoff. The checklist, which was found in the aircraft, required that wing flaps be set to 32 degrees for takeoff. A review of the aircraft flight manual showed that there were no performance charts for taking off with the wing flaps retracted.

Factual narrative

On September 7, 1996, about 0940 eastern daylight time, a Canadair T-33, N99195, registered to an individual, collided with terrain during an aborted takeoff, at Charlotte County Airport, Punta Gorda, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated to NTSB that he was ferrying the airplane to Orlando, Florida, for an annual inspection. During the takeoff the aircraft was performing acceptably for flight. After takeoff, the aircraft began to mush and he "knew that it was losing power." He performed an emergency landing straight ahead and after the aircraft came to a stop he exited the aircraft.

The pilot stated to an FAA inspector shortly after the accident that the engine developed 100 percent power during the takeoff. He did not report having a loss of engine power. He stated that after the aircraft came to rest, he exited through the broken canopy. The engine continued to run and started a fire in the marsh around the aircraft. He also stated to the FAA inspector that he did not use wing flaps for takeoff.

Checklists that were found in the aircraft by an FAA inspector called for wing flaps to be set to 32 degrees for takeoff. A review of the aircraft flight manual by an FAA inspector showed that there are no performance charts for taking off with the wing flaps retracted. (See attached FAA inspector statement and checklists)

Aircraft

Registration
N99195
Reported as
Canadair T-33
Category
Airplane
Serial number
236
Engine
Rolls-Royce NENE 10, 5,100 lbs thrust, turbo jet
Damage
Substantial damage
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Ferry · Part 91
Registered owner
Robert C. Tullius
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · June 15, 1995 · 80 hours before
Departed
PGD
Destination
ORL · Orlando, FL
Airport
PGD · Charlotte County, runway 15, 5,049 × 150 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
58
Certificate
Airline transport
Airplane ratings
Single-engine sea, Multi-engine sea, Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Front
Flight hours
20,000 total · 50 in this make and model · 25 in the last 90 days · 25 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
70° at 4 knots
Visibility
15 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
81 °F, dew point 79 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
FMY, 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.