Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB CHI08LA191
Drochak Aventura II — Flushing, MI
| Date | July 15, 2008 |
| Location | Flushing, MI |
| Aircraft | Drochak Aventura II (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 60 |
| Pilot total time | 209 hrs · Low time |
| Time in type | 41 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
NTSB findings
- Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome
What happened
The amateur-built, experimental amphibian airplane had just departed the grass airstrip. About 100 feet above ground level just beyond the departure end of the airstrip, the engine lost power. Seconds later, the airplane impacted a tree and the ground in a left wing down, nose low attitude. Inspection of the propeller revealed no evidence of rotation at the time of impact. The fuel tank contained about 8 gallons of fuel. Flight control continuity was established. The engine rotated and an engine run was conducted and it operated. The inspection of the airframe and fuselage revealed no preexisting anomalies. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.