# NTSB SEA01LA045: Alexander MA-5 Charger, N58LA, Spanaway, WA, February 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 3, 2001, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Spanaway, WA - Coordinates: 47.049575, -122.35997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0496&lon=-122.3600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Seattle FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51712 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51712/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA045 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat prior to takeoff while operating in serious carburetor icing conditions. Factors include operating in serious carburetor icing conditions, and rough/uneven terrain in the area of the forced landing. ## Analysis After taxiing from the far end of the field and performing his pre-takeoff run-up check, the pilot experienced problems with his VHF radio and intercom. While he was attempting to correct the problems, he allowed the engine to idle in serious carburetor icing conditions for three or four minutes. After correcting the communications equipment problems, the pilot pulled onto the runway and took off without applying the carburetor heat to eliminate any carburetor ice that may have accumulated since the run-up check. After reaching an altitude of about 200 feet above the ground, the engine began to lose power. Because the loss of power made it impossible to maintain altitude, the pilot attempted a forced landing on a nearby golf course. Although the touchdown was successful, the main landing gear collapsed when the aircraft encountered rough/uneven terrain during the landing roll. A post accident inspection of the engine did not reveal any evidence of anomalies or malfunctions that would have contributed to the loss of power. ## Factual narrative On February 3, 2001, approximately 1045 Pacific standard time, an experimental Alexander MA-5 Charger, N58LA, experienced a gear collapse during a forced landing that occurred after a partial loss of power during the climb out from Shady Acres Airport, Spanaway, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 local personal pleasure flight took place in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. The ELT, which was activated by the accident sequence, was turned off at the scene. According to the pilot, after taxiing from the far end of the field and completing his pre-takeoff run-up, he experienced problems with his intercom and VHF radio. While attempting to correct these problems, the aircraft's engine continued to run at idle for three or four minutes without the application of carburetor heat. When he was finished working with the radio problems, the pilot pulled onto the runway and took off without applying carburetor heat to eliminate any carburetor ice that may have accumulated since the run-up check. After the aircraft reached an altitude of about 200 feet above the ground, the engine slowly began to lose power. Being unable to make it back to the airport, the pilot attempted to execute a forced landing on the grounds of a nearby golf course. Although the touchdown was successful, the main landing gear collapsed when the aircraft encountered rough/uneven terrain during the landing roll. At the time of the accident, the temperature was 41 degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point was 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Plotting these temperatures on the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (attached) revealed that serious carburetor icing could be expected at cruise, climb or idle power. In addition, the pilot of another aircraft that was flying in the area approximately the same time as the subject aircraft took off, reported he experienced carburetor icing at cruise power. A post-accident inspection of the engine did not reveal any evidence of malfunctions or anomalies that would have contributed to the loss of power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58LA-2006-12-11), registration cancelled 2006-12-11, S/N 074, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Alexander MA-5 Charger - Registry model: [Alexander Lyle M MARQUART MA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/alexander-lyle-m-marquart-ma-5) (registry code 05655S9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 074 - Airframe hours: 1302 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James P. McGinnis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2000, 16 hours before - Departed: WA61, Spanaway, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 28, 1990; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,340 total, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 41 °F ## 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 20010203001099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010203001099A), Feb 3, 2001: Amtr MA5, Spanaway, WA, No damage. (-23) A/c departed runway 16 at Shady Acres Airport. Upon climbout, at an altitude of approx. 800 feet, pilot noticed a substantial loss of power. Pilot… 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.