# NTSB SEA05LA177: Tichacek N-3 Pup, N7702X, Mead, WA, August 20, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 2005, 10:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Mead, WA - Coordinates: 47.791667, -117.351112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7917&lon=-117.3511&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 February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62298 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62298/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA177 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - building(nonresidential) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7702X-2005-11-18), registration cancelled 2005-11-18, S/N N85621-11, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Tichacek N-3 Pup - Registry model: [Tichacek Darrel E N3PUP](https://openairdocs.org/model/tichacek-darrel-e-n3pup) (registry code 05619KP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: N85621-11 - Airframe hours: 2 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050820017689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050820017689A), Aug 20, 2005: Amtr N3PUP, Mead, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he was on his first flight in this aircraft after engine change and experimental certification. The engine quit producing power at… 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.