# NTSB WPR18LA204: Microlites Ptyltd Dragonfly B, N7008Z, Buckley, WA, July 19, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 19, 2018, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Buckley, WA · private airstrip - Coordinates: 47.127498, -122.06361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1275&lon=-122.0636&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 97892 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR18LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97892/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97892 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA204 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## 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: [Moyes/Bailey Microlites Ptyltd DRAGONFLY B MODEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05901X7), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Moyes/Bailey Microlites Ptyltd DRAGONFLY B MODEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05901X7), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Moyes/Bailey Microlites Ptyltd DRAGONFLY B MODEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901X7), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot noted no anomalies during the preflight, engine start, or runup inspections. However, shortly after takeoff, while on the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power and the propeller stopped turning. The pilot prepared for a forced landing to a clearing and deployed the airplane’s parachute system. The airplane impacted a tree just prior to landing. A visual examination of the engine at the accident site revealed no obvious holes in the engine case, and fuel was observed leaking from the fuel pump and fuel filter. Further examination of the fuel pump and fuel filter revealed no mechanical anomalies. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 2018, about 1420 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Moyes/Bailey Microlites PTYLTD Dragonfly B Model airplane, N7008Z, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Buckley, Washington. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he performed a preflight inspection and confirmed the fuel tanks were full of fuel. No anomalies were noted as he performed the engine start, taxi, or runup. The pilot departed to the north and after turning onto the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine “seized,” and the propeller stopped turning. The pilot prepared for a forced landing to a clearing, and he deployed the airplane’s parachute system. The airplane impacted a tree just prior to landing. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors responded to the accident site and reported that the parachute had been deployed. The airplane sustained damage throughout the frame. The engine was visually examined, and no obvious holes in the engine case were observed. Fuel was observed leaking from the fuel pump and fuel filter. The fuel pump and fuel filter were removed and further examined. No mechanical anomalies were identified during the examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7008Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7008Z), registered now, S/N 046, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MICROLITES PTYLTD Dragonfly B (046) - Registry model: [Moyes/Bailey Microlites Ptyltd DRAGONFLY B MODEL](https://openairdocs.org/model/moyes-bailey-microlites-ptyltd-dragonfly-b-model) (registry code 05901X7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582UL DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ul-dcdi) (registry code 55563, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 046 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 635 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 4, 2018, 180 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: WN15, Burnett Landing, runway 31, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: serious; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 18, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 19,004 total, 70 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KPLU, 9 nm away - METAR: METAR KPLU 192115Z AUTO VRB06KT 10SM OVC035 19/10 A3020 RMK AO2= ## 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 20180719014549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180719014549A), Jul 19, 2018: Moyes/Bailey Microlites Ptyltd DRAGONFLY B MODEL, Buckley, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost power. Pilot attempted to return to airport. Unable to reach airport. Deployed ballistic parachute. Parachute/aircraft hit tree upon landing,… ## Other investigations on N7008Z (2) 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. - [NTSB WPR14LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA285), Jul 8, 2014: Bailey-Moyes Microlights Dragonfly B Model (N7008Z), Buckley, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control due to a loss of flight control effectiveness for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations. - [NTSB WPR11CA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA079), Dec 22, 2010: Moyes Bailey Microlite (N7008Z), Newberg, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a dive, which resulted in a loss of control. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 5, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97892. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13420714&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Summary of findings FAA (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13420975&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Summary%20of%20Findings%20FAA_Redacted-Rel.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.