Midcoast Regional Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Hinesville, Georgia 31313
Saturday, July 23, 2011 7:52 EDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that the airplane had climbed to about 900 feet above ground level after takeoff when the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot initiated a turn back toward the airport. While on final approach, the airplane stalled and collided with a fence. A postaccident examination of the engine carburetor revealed that a large piece of foam from the air filter element was lodged in the venturi of the carburetor. A review of the airplaneā€™s logbooks revealed that an air filter element was installed during the engine overhaul 31 hours before the accident. It is likely that the air filter was installed incorrectly, thus causing the air filter element to become dislodged and drawn into the carburetor venturi.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The total loss of engine power due to the improper installation of the carburetor air filter by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the filter becoming dislodged and obstructing the carburetor. Contributing to the accident was the pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 7/23/2011
Event Day of the Week Saturday
Time of Event 752
Event Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Event City Hinesville
Event State GEORGIA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 31313
Event Date Year 2011
Event Date Month 7
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 315217N
Event Location Longitude 0813342W
Event Location Airport Midcoast Regional Airport
Event Location Nearest Airport ID LHW
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles 0
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 45
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 655 Eastern Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID LHW
Elevation of weather observation facility 45
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 0
Time Zone of the weather observation EDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 22
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 23
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator Variable
Wind Speed (knots) --
Wind Velocity Indicator Light and Variable
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.09
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Serious
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor 1
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious 1
Injury Total All 2
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 29521
NTSB Notification Source FAA Southern ROC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Feb 23 2012 10:29AM
User who most recently changed record johb
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N5191X
NTSB Number ERA11LA416
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name CHAMPION
Aircraft Model 7ECA
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 692
Certified Max Gross Weight 1650
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats 1
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats 1
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Sep 15 2010 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 31
Airframe Hours 2015
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type C91
Aircraft Owner Name MANNING RICHARD F JR
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City MIDWAY
Aircraft Owner State GA
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 31320-7362
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name MANNING RICHARD F JR
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City MIDWAY
Operator State GA
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 31320-7362
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code LHW
Departure City Hinesville
Departure State GA
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 752
Departure Time Zone EDT
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code LHW
Destination City Hinesville
Destination State GA
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Feb 23 2012 10:25AM
User who most recently changed record johb
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location N/A
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --