Summary
On February 02, 2002, a Robinette Ultra Pup (N2221X) was involved in an incident near Rio Vista, CA. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
On February 2, 2002, at 1300 Pacific standard time, a Robinette Ultra Pup, N2221X, landed off-airport following total a loss of engine power on climbout from Rio Vista Municipal Airport, Rio Vista, California. The private certificated pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The experimental, amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged. The local area personal flight was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
The pilot reported that during the initial climb after a slow-flight, low pass down runway 25 (4,200feet long by 75 feet wide), while about 200 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power although the propeller continued to windmill.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX02LA078. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2221X.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On February 2, 2002, at 1300 Pacific standard time, a Robinette Ultra Pup, N2221X, landed off-airport following total a loss of engine power on climbout from Rio Vista Municipal Airport, Rio Vista, California. The private certificated pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The experimental, amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged. The local area personal flight was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
The pilot reported that during the initial climb after a slow-flight, low pass down runway 25 (4,200feet long by 75 feet wide), while about 200 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power although the propeller continued to windmill. After the accident, there was about 9 gallons of 100-octane aviation fuel aboard. Earlier the same day he had flown from Concord, California, to Rio Vista on the same tank of fuel. The pilot suspected that carburetor icing was the cause of the engine loss of power. The airplane was equipped with a Mosler converted automotive engine, and was equipped with carburetor heat. The carburetor heat control was in the "on" position when engine power was lost.
A generic carburetor icing probability chart used by the Safety Board showed the ambient temperature and dew point conditions to have been within the region marked "serious icing - cruise or climb power."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX02LA078