# NTSB NYC03LA154: Wohlers Falco F.8L, N33LW, Ashland, OH, July 7, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2003, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Ashland, OH - Coordinates: 40.904998, -82.259445 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9050&lon=-82.2594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Cleveland FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57421 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57421/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA154 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to the failure of the engine air intake duct tubing, which resulted in a total blockage of the induction inlet duct. A factor related to the accident was the inadequate 100-hour inspection by maintenance personnel. (This narrative was modified on January 26, 2005.) ## 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 - induction air ducting - failure (cause) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - induction air ducting - blocked(total) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis As the airplane was climbing, about 100 feet above the ground, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a grass field with the landing gear retracted. Upon touchdown, the airplane slid to a stop and came to rest upright. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the engine air intake duct tubing had lost its internal support spring structure strength, allowing the tube casing to be sucked inward, which restricted the air intake. The most recent annual inspection performed on the airplane was completed on May 10, 2003. According to 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D - Scope and Detail of Items (as Applicable to the Particular Aircraft) To Be Included in Annual and 100 Hour Inspections, "Each person performing an annual or 100 hour inspection shall inspect (where applicable) components of the engine and nacelle group..." (This narrative was modified on January 26, 2005.) ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2003, at 1300 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Falco F.8L, N33LW, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of power while departing from the Ashland County Airport (3G4), Ashland, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight destined for the Chautauqua County Airport (JHW), Jamestown, New York. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, as the airplane was climbing, about 100 feet above the ground, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a grass field with the landing gear retracted. Upon touchdown, the airplane slid to a stop and came to rest upright. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage after the accident and observed that the engine air intake SCAT duct tubing had lost its internal support spring structure strength, allowing the tube casing to be sucked inward, which restricted the air intake. The most recent annual inspection performed on the airplane was completed on May 10, 2003. According to 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D - Scope and Detail of Items (as Applicable to the Particular Aircraft) To Be Included in Annual and 100 Hour Inspections: "Each person performing an annual or 100 hour inspection shall inspect (where applicable) components of the engine and nacelle group as follows: (1) Engine section - for visual evidence of excessive oil, fuel, or hydraulic leaks, and sources of such leaks. (2) Studs and nuts - for improper torquing and obvious defects. (3) Internal engine - for cylinder compression and for metal particles or foreign matter on screens and sump drain plugs. If there is weak cylinder compression, for improper internal condition and improper internal tolerances. (4) Engine mount - for cracks, looseness of mounting, and looseness of engine to mount. (5) Flexible vibration dampeners - for poor condition and deterioration. (6) Engine controls - for defects, improper travel, and improper safetying. (7) Lines, hoses, and clamps - for leaks, improper condition and looseness. (8) Exhaust stacks - for cracks, defects, and improper attachment. (9) Accessories - for apparent defects in security of mounting. (10) All systems - for improper installation, poor general condition, defects, and insecure attachment. (11) Cowling - for cracks, and defects." (This narrative was modified on January 26, 2005.) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33LW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33LW-2012-06-20), registration cancelled 2012-06-20, S/N 1, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wohlers Falco F.8L - Registry model: [Wohlers Laurence WOHLERS FALCO F.8L](https://openairdocs.org/model/wohlers-laurence-wohlers-falco-f-8l) (registry code 0566054) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Airframe hours: 580 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Anderson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2003 - Departed: 3G4, Ashland, OH - Destination: JHW, Jamestown, NY - Airport: 3G4, Ashland County Airport, runway 18, 3,502 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 355 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 14 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: MFD ## 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 20030707019899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030707019899A), Jul 7, 2003: Aermer FALCOF8L, Ashland, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Shortly after take-off airplane lost power and landed in a field approx. 1/4 mile south of runway 18. Pilot unable to extend landing gear and airplane… 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.