# NTSB SEA95LA152: Botteron Q-2, N9775N, Arlington, WA, July 14, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1995, 19:30 local (Jul 14, 1995, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Arlington, WA - Coordinates: 48.179431, -121.670242 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1794&lon=-121.6702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 15, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42194 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42194/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA152 ## Probable cause THE NONPILOT-RATED MECHANIC'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO ALCOHOL; IMPROPER DECISION BY THE MECHANIC (UNQUALIFIED PERSON) TO FLIGHT CHECK THE AIRPLANE; AND FUEL EXHAUSTION AFTER TAKEOFF, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - planning/decision - improper, unqualified person (cause) - impairment(alcohol), unqualified person (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, unqualified person (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff ## Analysis A MECHANIC, WHO WAS NOT CERTIFICATED AS A PILOT, STATED THAT HE ELECTED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE AFTER PERFORMING MAINTENANCE FOR THE OWNER. REPORTEDLY, HE HAD THE OWNER'S CONSENT TO FLIGHT CHECK THE AIRPLANE; HOWEVER, THE OWNER WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE MECHANIC WAS NOT A CERTIFICATED PILOT. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. THE AIRPLANE MADE A RIGHT TURN IN THE PATTERN AND CONTINUED TO A LOW PASS OVER THE RUNWAY. THE ENGINE THEN LOST POWER, AND THE NONPILOT-RATED MECHANIC MADE A HARD LANDING ON A CLOSED RUNWAY. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE WAS ASKED TO TAKE A BREATHALYZER TEST. THE TEST INDICATED A 0.16% BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE AND ENGINE REVEALED ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1995, at 1930 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Terry L. Botteron, Q-2, N9775N, experienced a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the Arlington Airport, Arlington, Washington. During the forced landing, the airplane landed hard on the runway. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the non-certificated pilot was not injured. During an interview with the local police department and a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Renton, Washington Flight Standards District Office, the pilot reported that he did not have a pilot's certificate and stated that the purpose of the flight was to test the airplane after performing maintenance. Witnesses reported that shortly after the airplane took off, the engine began to sputter. The airplane made a right turn in the pattern and then made a low pass over the runway. The engine then quit, caught for a short time, then quit again. The pilot landed the airplane on a closed runway. During the landing, the airplane landed hard, collapsed the gear and skidded 81 yards before coming to a stop. The police department performed a breathalyzer test which indicated .16 B.A.C. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector and two local mechanics inspected the airplane after the accident. The Inspector reported that the fuel tanks had been ruptured, however, there was no evidence of a fuel spill. The fuel lines and fuel filter were inspected and only a small amount of fuel was present. No evidence was found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: N9775N (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BOTTERON Q-2 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2366 - Airframe hours: 15 - Engines: REVMASTER R-2100-D 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Terry L. Botteron - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Airport: AWO, Arlington Muni, runway 34, 5,333 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AWO ## 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 19950713018449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950713018449A), Jul 13, 1995: Amtr Q2000, Arlington, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power on test flight climbout. Hard landing folded gear. Fuel tank empty and alcohol in pilot. No license. 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.