SEA05LA177

NTSB accident investigation · Tichacek N-3 Pup · Mead, WA · August 20, 2005

Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
August 20, 2005, 10:10 local (17:10 UTC)
Place
Mead, WA
Injuries
1 serious
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N7702XTichacek N-3 Pup
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report February 28, 2006
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
FAA FSDO
FAA report
20050820017689A
Case key
62298

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerTakeoff - initial climb
Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause
Forced landingEmergency descent/landing
In flight collision with objectEmergency descent/landing
Object - building(nonresidential)
Terrain condition - none suitableFactor

Analysis

The pilot said that he had flown this airplane before, but this was the first flight with this engine. He said that immediately after takeoff the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot told the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that he did not want to land in a housing area at the end of the runway; therefore, he reversed his flight path by applying full left rudder. The first responders found that the airplane had impacted a shed approximately 150 yards past the departure end of runway 34; the pilot said the airplane came to rest on airport property. The airplane's left wing was broken and nearly separated from the fuselage.

Factual narrative

On August 20, 2005, at approximately 1010 Pacific daylight time, a Tichacek, Preceptor, N-3 PUP experimental homebuilt, N7702X, was destroyed when it impacted a shed following a loss of power near Mead Flying Service Airport, Mead, Washington. The non-certificated pilot, the sole person on board, was seriously injured. The pilot/builder was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight which was originating at the time of the accident. A flight plan had not been filed.

The pilot said that he had flown this airplane before, but this was the first flight with this engine. He said that immediately after takeoff the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot told the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that he did not want to land in a housing area at the end of the runway; therefore, he reversed his flight path by applying full left rudder. The first responders found that the airplane had impacted a shed approximately 150 yards past the departure end of runway 34; the pilot said the airplane came to rest on airport property. The airplane's left wing was broken and nearly separated from the fuselage; the pilot experienced a broken back and pelvis.

Aircraft

Registration
N7702X
Reported as
Tichacek N-3 Pup
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number
N85621-11
Airframe hours
2
Engine
Volkswagen 1835, 60 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Darrel E. Tichacek
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · July 1, 2005 · 2 hours before
Departed
70S · Mead, WA
Destination
70S
Airport
70S · Mead Flying Service Airport, runway 34, 2,480 × 30 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
74
Injuries
Serious
Seat
Single
Flight hours
1,300 total · 1,300 in this make and model · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
80° at 6 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
70 °F, dew point 48 °F
Altimeter
30.10 inHg
Observed at
SFF, 14 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.