Friends Field Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Westport, Massachusetts 02790
Sunday, August 11, 2013 6:45 EDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

During departure from the 1,635-foot-long turf runway, the airplane impacted rocks and trees past the runway end. The pilot reported that he could not recall the events of the accident. One of the four passengers reported that he heard the engine advance to takeoff power “normally” and that he believed that the airplane became airborne before impact. Review of the manufacturer’s performance data revealed that, given the atmospheric and loading conditions on the day of the accident, the distance required to take off and clear a 50-foot obstacle was about 920 feet. Examination of the flight control system revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the engine revealed significant circumferential rubbing, frictional heat discoloration, and material smearing signatures in the power section consistent with the presence of engine power at the time of impact. In addition, the compressor discharge air (P3) line pneumatic “B” nut fitting at the fuel control unit was visibly loose, and the “B” nut could be moved by hand. Further examination revealed that the No. 4 gearbox bolts and washers had been pulled from their threaded seats, likely during the impact sequence. The engine operated normally during postaccident functional checks. To determine the effect of the loose “B” nut fitting on the engine operation, the P3 line was manually manipulated to simulate takeoff vibrations, and the fitting was loosened to the extent possible; however, neither action affected the engine operation.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

A failure to achieve a positive climb rate after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 8/11/2013
Event Day of the Week Sunday
Time of Event 645
Event Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Event City Westport
Event State MASSACHUSETTS
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 02790
Event Date Year 2013
Event Date Month 8
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 413414N
Event Location Longitude 0710717W
Event Location Airport FRIENDS FIELD AIRPORT
Event Location Nearest Airport ID MA07
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles 0
Degrees magnetic from airport 360
Airport Elevation 131
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 653 Eastern Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 50
Weather Observation Facility ID EWB
Elevation of weather observation facility 78
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 10
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) 14
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 12
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) 30.07
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report METAR KEWB 111053Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 14/12 A3007 RM
Event Highest Injury Minor
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor 1
Injury Total None 4
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 1
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 33279
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 Oct 2 2014 3:32PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N10PZ
NTSB Number ERA13LA360
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed IFR
Flight plan Was Activated? Yes
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name QUEST AIRCRAFT COMPANY LLC
Aircraft Model KODIAK 100
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 100-0040
Certified Max Gross Weight 7255
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats 2
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats 8
Total number of seats on the aircraft 10
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Mar 13 2013 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 498
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type C91-A
Aircraft Owner Name PAXTON AVIATION INC
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City WILMINGTON
Aircraft Owner State DE
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 19810-4902
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name PAXTON AVIATION INC
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City WILMINGTON
Operator State DE
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 19810-4902
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
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 MA07
Departure City Westport
Departure State MA
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 645
Departure Time Zone EDT
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code ORE
Destination City ORANGE
Destination State MA
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Oct 2 2014 3:50PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location 01
Runway Length 1635
Runway Width 50
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --