Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Apple Valley, California 92308
Saturday, May 19, 2012 7:30 PDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The student pilot reported that during the initial climb after takeoff, the engine stopped producing power. During his attempt to turn toward a nearby road for an emergency landing, the airplane descended rapidly into the terrain. In addition to a number of minor anomalies associated with the engine, the postaccident examination revealed three anomalies (cracked carburetor sockets, an incorrectly installed fuel pump, and an incorrectly calibrated high altitude corrector) that had the potential to contribute to a loss of engine power. However, because none of the three noted anomalies would necessarily have led to the engine stoppage, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

A loss of engine power during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because the anomalies revealed during the postaccident examination would not have necessarily precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance, which failed to detect existing anomalies in engine-related systems.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 5/19/2012
Event Day of the Week Saturday
Time of Event 730
Event Time Zone Pacific Daylight Time
Event City Apple Valley
Event State CALIFORNIA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 92308
Event Date Year 2012
Event Date Month 5
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 343419N
Event Location Longitude 1171107W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Pilot
Time of the weather observation
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) --
Weather Observation Facility ID --
Elevation of weather observation facility --
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) --
Time Zone of the weather observation --
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) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator --
Wind Speed (knots) --
Wind Velocity Indicator Calm
Wind Gust Indicator --
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) --
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 --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious 1
Injury Total All 1
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 30957
NTSB Notification Source LAX Operations Center
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 28 2013 3:09PM
User who most recently changed record stam
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N214AB
NTSB Number WPR12LA217
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name JACKSON
Aircraft Model TOP DOG
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number TD-056
Certified Max Gross Weight 395
Aircraft Category --
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? Yes
Flight Crew Seats 1
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Conditional
Date of Last Inspection Apr 16 2012 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 29
ELT Installed No
ELT Activated Unknown
ELT Aided Location of Event Site Unknown
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name HELMAN MICHAEL
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City HESPERIA
Aircraft Owner State CA
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 92345-1937
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name HELMAN MICHAEL
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City HESPERIA
Operator State CA
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 92345-1937
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 Yes
Departure Airport Code --
Departure City Apple Valley
Departure State CA
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 730
Departure Time Zone PDT
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code --
Destination City Apple Valley
Destination State CA
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 28 2013 3:01PM
User who most recently changed record stam
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 --