# NTSB NYC03CA182: Kucklick Hiperbipe, N258HB, Marion, OH, August 23, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 23, 2003, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Marion, OH - Coordinates: 40.619445, -83.053337 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6194&lon=-83.0533&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 November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57758 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03CA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57758/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03CA182 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to install an inadequate air filter, which subsequently failed and resulted in a power loss. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - maintenance,installation - inadequate, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - induction air control,air filter/screen - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis During the initial climb after takeoff, the experimental airplane lost engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field he thought contained vegetation that was about 6 inches high; however, the vegetation was about 40 inches high. During landing, the airplane sustained damage to the lower landing gear structure and lower wings. Examination of the airplane revealed that the air filter screen had separated from the support bracket. The filter element was found in the intake to the fuel injection servo and obstructed the air flow to the engine. The air filter was home-made and installed by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 2003, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Hyperbipe, N258HB, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power while departing Marion Municipal Airport, Marion, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight destined for Beaver County Airport, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the airplane lost engine power during the initial climb after takeoff. He further stated: "...At approx 250 to 400 feet of altitude, the engine began to loose power slowly. I could not climb or maintain altitude due to the steady loss of power and began to sink rapidly. I picked a field I thought I could make an emergency landing on straight ahead. I pulled the throttle to idle and pulled the mixture to cut off just before touch down as I flared for a landing in a farm field of soy beans. With no injuries to my self or passenger, we exited the plane as quickly as possible...." During a follow-up telephone interview, the pilot reported that from the air, he thought the height of the vegetation in the field he had picked for a landing was about 6 inches; however, it turned out be about 40 inches high. A mechanic who examined the airplane reported that the air filter screen had separated from the support bracket. The filter element was found in the intake to the fuel injection servo and obstructed the air flow to the engine. The mechanic said he had given the airplane a condition inspection about 30 hours before the accident, and an air filter was not installed at that time. The air filter was "home-made" and installed by the pilot. The filter screen was attached to the support bracket by the use of pop rivets. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N258HB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N258HB-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 258, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kucklick Hiperbipe - Registry model: [Kucklick William R HIPERBIPE](https://openairdocs.org/model/kucklick-william-r-hiperbipe) (registry code 0569197) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 258 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1G reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: MNN, Marion, OH - Destination: BVI, Beaver Falls, PA - Airport: MNN, Marion Municipal Airport, runway 07 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,096 total, 32 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20030823023229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030823023229A), Aug 23, 2003: Amtr SNS7, Marion, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was taking off and during the climb it experienced a loss of power. An emergency landing was performed in a soybean field. Since the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N258HB (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN06CA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06CA012), Nov 7, 2005: Kucklick Hiperbipe (N258HB), Watkins, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing resulting in a impact with a runway light and ground loop. 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.