# NTSB NYC08LA196: Boeing A75N1, N46996, Romney, WV, May 25, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 2008, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Romney, WV - Coordinates: 39.321666, -78.900001 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3217&lon=-78.9000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68097 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68097/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA196 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to failure of the left magneto. Contributing to the accident was unsuitable terrain to conduct a forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=1380165), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=1380165), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1380165), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=1380165), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1380165), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1380165), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed the turf runway and, shortly after takeoff, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power. Unable to out-climb the rising terrain, the pilot intentionally allowed the airplane to stall into the treetops of a heavily wooded area. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left magneto would not produce spark when rotated and subsequent disassembly of the magneto revealed that the cam follower was broken. The magneto had been operated for about 300 hours since it was installed during October 2001. The prior service history of the magneto could not be determined, except that it was in storage for about 9 years prior to its installation on the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2008, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Boeing A75N1 (Stearman), N46996, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain, after it experienced a partial loss of engine power, during takeoff from a private airstrip in Romney, West Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal local flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, the airplane departed to the south from a turf runway; however, shortly after takeoff, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power. Unable to out-climb rising terrain, the pilot intentionally allowed the airplane to stall into the treetops. The airplane's left wing struck a large pine tree, and the airplane came to rest in a heavily wooded area. Examination of the airplane was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The examination revealed that the left magneto would not produce spark when rotated and subsequent disassembly of the magneto revealed that the cam follower was broken. According to the inspector, the magneto was installed at the time of the engine's most recent overhaul, which was performed on October 18, 2001. The engine had been operated for about 300 hours since the overhaul. The inspector further stated that the prior service history of the magneto could not be determined, except that it was in storage for about 9 years prior to its installation on the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46996](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46996), registered now, S/N 75-3736, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1) (registry code 1380165) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-3736 - Airframe hours: 6715 - Engines: Continental W670 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dennis Caruso - Registered owner: Kent Shanholtz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 2008, 4 hours before - Departed: NONE, Romney, WV - Destination: NONE, Romney, WV - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 18, 3,000 × 175 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 19, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 3,950 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.30 inHg - Observed at: CBE, 18 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 20080525835539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080525835539A), May 25, 2008: Boeing A75N1, Romney, WV, Substantial damage. (-23) After taking off from a private airfield, the aircraft gradually lost power while performing a left hand climbing turn. As the aircraft began to lose… 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.