# NTSB NYC94LA140: Aces High Cuby B, N2282Z, Waterbury, CT, July 24, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1994, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Waterbury, CT
- Location: 41.6334° N, 73.0468° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MOUNT TOBE (N41), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6334&lon=-73.0468&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 December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA140

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT, BUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES.  ACCORDING TO A CHART PUBLISHED BY THE FAA, THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE CONDUCIVE FOR MODERATE ICING DURING CRUISE POWER AND SERIOUS ICING DURING A POWERED GLIDE.

## Factual narrative

On July 24, 1994, at 0945 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Cuby B, N2282Z, owned and piloted by Joseph Marsilio, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during a forced landing after takeoff from the Waterbury Airport, Waterbury, Connecticut.  The pilot received serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he had departed the southwest runway and was climbing out when the engine lost power.  The pilot attempted to make a 180 degree turn back to the airport.

According the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated to him that the engine failed shortly after lifting off runway 18.  While the pilot was attempting to make the 180 degree turn, the airplane struck trees southeast of runway 36.

The FAA Inspector conducted a post accident examination of the airplane.  In his report he stated, "...The inspection was unable to find any visual sign of a mechanical defect that would have cause the engine to cease operation.

The temperature and dew point conditions at the time of the accident were reviewed.  According to the FAA-P-8740-24 Chart, Tips on Winter Flying, the conditions were conducive for moderate icing during cruise power, or serious icing in a powered glide.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2282Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2282Z), registered now, S/N 249 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aces High CUBY B
- Registry model: [Capone-Rocco CUBY MODEL-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/capone-rocco-cuby-model-b) (registry code 05655P5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 249
- Airframe hours: 544
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph Marsilio
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1994, 39 hours before
- Departed: N41
- Destination: N41
- Airport: N41, Waterbury

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,642 total, 300 in this make and model, 2,642 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXE, 10 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 19940724019039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940724019039A), Jul 24, 1994: Amtr CUBY, Waterbury, CT, Substantial damage. Reported engine quit on climbout. Tried turn back but struck trees. Conditions good for carb icing.

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.

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