# NTSB WPR21LA172: Michael J Robbins Searey, N888MJ, Friday Harbor, WA, April 22, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 21, 2021, 17:15 local (Apr 22, 2021, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Friday Harbor, WA · Off Airport - Coordinates: 48.521972, -123.02436 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5220&lon=-123.0244&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 102962 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102962/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102962 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA172 ## Probable cause Partial loss of engine power due to the detachment of the throttle cable from the carburetor arm, as a result of the pilot’s inadequate maintenance which resulted in an off-airport landing and impact with vegetation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Michael J Robbins SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=05634OV), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) - [Maintenance: modification/alteration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Michael J Robbins SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/cases.md?model=05634OV), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/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: [Michael J Robbins SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05634OV), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of an experimental amphibian airplane reported that, during takeoff, about 200 ft above ground level, the engine experienced a reduction of power. The engine was running, but without sufficient power to maintain level flight. He elected to make an off-airport landing that resulted in an impact with vegetation and substantial damage to both wings. The pilot further reported that, the right throttle cable had pulled loose from the carburetor arm on takeoff and the spring pulled the throttle arm to the idle position, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. According to the pilot, he had reinstalled the carburetor opposite to how it came from the manufacturer. According to the manufacturer, the carburetor is installed with the throttle lever spring positioned in such a manner that if the throttle cable breaks, the throttle lever spring will move to the FULLY OPEN position (full power). There were no other preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N888MJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N888MJ), registered now, S/N 1DK462C, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MICHAEL J ROBBINS SEAREY - Registry model: [Michael J Robbins SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/michael-j-robbins-searey) (registry code 05634OV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914-series) (registry code 55575, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1DK462C - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 439 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 3, 2020, 77 hours before - Destination: PAE, Everett, WA - Airport: FHR, Friday Harbor Airport - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 18, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,964 total, 439 in this make and model, 3,715 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Observed at: KFHR - METAR: METAR KFHR 212353Z AUTO 23005KT 10SM CLR 16/08 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP156 T01610083 10189 20139 56019 TSNO= ## 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 20210422006529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210422006529A), Apr 22, 2021: Michael J Robbins SEAREY, Friday Harbor, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft taking off from Friday Harbor Airport, about 200 feet in the air the engine lost power, started losing altitude, pilot turn slightly to the right and… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102962. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12887623&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12888154&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MRobbins%20RoC%20(NTSB)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation (Rotax) (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12888256&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=JPaskevich%20RoC%20(NTSB)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Excerpt Rotax installation guide - throttle spring (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 327 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12888536&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Exceprt%20Rotax%20installation%20throttle%20spring-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 430 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12887751&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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.