# NTSB WPR11LA039: Lansdorf Qualt, N3215S, Sonoma, CA, November 6, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 6, 2010, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Sonoma, CA - Coordinates: 38.223888, -122.449722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2239&lon=-122.4497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 77742 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77742/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77742 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA039 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Landsdorf Paul QUALT 200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05616MO), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Landsdorf Paul QUALT 200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=05616MO), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Landsdorf Paul QUALT 200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05616MO), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Landsdorf Paul QUALT 200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05616MO), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after takeoff it felt as if the airplane was in a strong downdraft or strong tailwind gust and that "somehow there was not enough power.” When the airplane reached about 100 to 150 feet above ground level, it veered right, rapidly descended, and collided with a warehouse. A witness reported that he heard the engine running but that it was only producing partial power. During the postaccident examination of the engine, the engine started without hesitation and ran smoothly during a test run. Although the reported weather conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power, it could not be determined if carburetor icing was the reason for the partial loss of engine power. Further, weather conditions were not conducive to strong wind. ## Factual narrative On November 6, 2010, at 1230 Pacific daylight time, an experimental light sport airplane Lansdorf Qualt 200, N3215S, experienced a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Sonoma Skypark Airport (0Q9), Sonoma, California. The certificated sport pilot/owner received minor injuries and the passenger received serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was destined for Petaluma Municipal Airport (O69), Petaluma, California. In the pilot's written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), he reported that after takeoff from runway 26, it felt as if the airplane were in a strong downdraft or strong tail wind gust, and that "somehow there was not enough power.” He reported that the climb was not regular. When the airplane reached about 100 to 150 feet above ground level (agl), it veered right and rapidly descended to the ground. The airplane subsequently collided with a warehouse about one block from the airport. The empennage and the left elevator separated from the airframe and both wings were crushed and broken. According to a responding deputy from the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department, a witness reported hearing the engine running, but that it was only producing partial power. Reported METAR (aviation routine weather report) for 0Q9 at 1154, indicated that winds were from 250 degrees at 4 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; overcast sky conditions at 1,300 feet; temperature 15 degrees Celsius (C ); dew point 11 degrees C; altimeter setting 29.99 inches of Mercury. An examination of the airframe and engine by the NTSB investigator-in-charge and a representative from Rotech Flight Safety revealed no pre impact anomalies or failures. All of the propeller blades separated close to the blade hub and were torn and broken. During the engine test run, the engine started without hesitation and ran smoothly. An examination of the remaining airframe and related systems revealed no anomalies. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart, located in the FAA's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, dated June 30, 2009, revealed that the airplane was operating in an area favorable for the formation of serious carburetor icing at cruise power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3215S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3215S-2011-01-10), registration cancelled 2011-01-10, S/N ROK 1998, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lansdorf Qualt (200) - Registry model: [Landsdorf Paul QUALT 200](https://openairdocs.org/model/landsdorf-paul-qualt-200) (registry code 05616MO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (registry code 55571, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: ROK 1998 - Airframe hours: 405 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 26, 2010, 20 hours before - Departed: 0Q9, Sonoma, CA - Destination: O69, Petaluma, CA - Airport: 0Q9, Sonoma Skypark Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review October 20, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 405 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 153 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: 0Q9 ## 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 20101106050859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101106050859A), Nov 6, 2010: Qualt 200, Sonoma, CA, Destroyed. On 11/06/2010 the light-sport aircraft departed rwy 25 at the Sonoma county airport, returning to petaluma airport. Just after lift off witnesses described the… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77742. 2.0 MB in all. - Global Positioning System Device - Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 1, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341788&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Global%20Positioning%20System%20Device%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 584 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372223&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Engine Examination Report from Rotech Flight Safety (item 3, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372224&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20Report%20from%20Rotech%20Flight%20Safety-Master.PDF - Flydat Download Results - Rotech Flight Safety (item 4, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372230&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flydat%20Download%20Results%20-%20Rotech%20Flight%20Safety-Redacted.PDF - Report from Federal Aviation Administration (item 5, .PDF, 658 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20from%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 6, .PDF, 534 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372228&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372643&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.