# NTSB NYC01LA220: Andre Mini Max 1500R, N962JA, Chesapeake, VA, September 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 2001, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Chesapeake, VA - Coordinates: 36.800735, -76.420394 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8007&lon=-76.4204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-21 - NTSB case key (mKey): 53161 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53161/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA220 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to follow the engine manufacturer's descent procedure, which resulted in a lean mixture condition and subsequent engine seizure. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - mixture - incorrect - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot descended from 5,500 feet to 1,500 feet, at a moderate cruise power setting, at 5,500 rpm. About 1,500 feet above the ground, the two cycle 2-cylinder engine lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The pilot believed that the descent at cruise power created a lean fuel/air mixture. Examination of the engine revealed scoring on both pistons, which was directly in line with the exhaust. According to a representative from the engine manufacturer, that type of failure was indicative of a heat seizure, normally associated with an excessive exhaust gas temperature, exceeding 1200 degrees F. The representative assumed that the engine was operating in a lean condition. According to the manufacturer's engine manual, during cruise and descents, it was very important that to avoid creating a lean mixture condition with high rpm and low throttle opening. Additionally, the manual warned that the engine was subject to sudden stoppage, and conformed to no aircraft standards. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 2001, about 1315 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Mini Max 1500R, N962JA, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Chesapeake, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed a private airport in Saluda, Virginia; destined for Hampton Roads Executive Airport (PVG), Chesapeake, Virginia. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he began a descent from 5,500 feet, toward PVG. During the descent, he maintained a "moderate cruise" power setting, at 5,500 rpm. About 1,500 feet above the ground, the two cycle 2-cylinder Rotax engine lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck small trees and sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot added that the engine experienced a "cold seizure." He believed that the descent at cruise power created a lean fuel/air mixture and subsequent lack of lubrication. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane. The inspector observed that both pistons exhibited scoring. Photographs of the damaged pistons and cylinders were forwarded to a representative from the engine manufacturer. According to the manufacturer representative, the failure was directly in line with the exhaust, which was more indicative of a heat seizure, rather than a cold seizure. The representative further stated that a heat seizure was normally associated with excessive exhaust gas temperature, exceeding 1200 degrees F. He assumed that the engine was operating in a lean condition. An excerpt from the manufacturer's make and model engine manual revealed: "During cruise and descending it is very important not to create a lean condition with high rpm and low throttle opening. The less fresh charge the engine gets, the more hot residual gas remains in the cylinder. This raises the temperatures to a critical level. For this reason, you may also experience higher exhaust gas and cylinder head temperatures at reduced throttle openings." Another excerpt from the manual revealed: "Danger! This engine, by its design, is subject to sudden stoppage! Engine stoppage can result in crash landings. Such crash landings can lead to serious bodily injury or death. Never fly the aircraft equipped with this engine at locations, airspeeds, altitudes, or other circumstances from which a successful no-power landing cannot be made, after sudden engine stoppage. Warning! Although these engine types have undergone considerable durability testing, this engine is not a certified aircraft engine. It has not received any individual safety or durability testing and conforms to no aircraft standards. It is for use in experimental and ultralight uncertified aircraft and vehicles only, in which an engine failure will not compromise safety. User assumes all risk of use and acknowledges by his use the he knows this engine is subject to sudden stoppage." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N962JA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N962JA-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N TA962, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Andre Mini Max 1500R - Registry model: [Andre John D TEAM MINI MAX 1500R](https://openairdocs.org/model/andre-john-d-team-mini-max-1500r) (registry code 05607K8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: TA962 - Airframe hours: 116 - Engines: Rotax 447 40 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John D. Andre - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2001, 40 hours before - Departed: NONE, Saluda, VA - Destination: PVG, Chesapeake, VA - Airport: PVG, Hamton Roads Executive Airport, runway 02, 3,524 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 24, 2001; seat: single; flight hours: 460 total, 116 in this make and model, 415 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: ORF, 14 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 20010903029349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010903029349A), Sep 3, 2001: Amtr MINIMAX1500R, Portmouth, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 3, 2001, at 1315 local, on a local pleasure flight, an experimental amateur built aircraft N962JA, model team minimax 1500R, experienced an… 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.