N768BA – AARDEMA ROBERT JOHN 1 AARDEMA RAG WNG SP – 2010-10-29 NTSB Accident Report

On October 29, 2010, a Aardema Robert John 1 AARDEMA RAG WNG SP (N768BA) was involved in an incident near Oshtemo, MI. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The failure of the ignition system wiring, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

The pilot reported that just after takeoff and during the initial climb, the airplane's engine suddenly lost power and the propeller stopped. The airplane's altitude when the power loss occurred was about 400 feet above the ground. The pilot attempted to return to the departure runway but realized that he did not have sufficient altitude. The airplane impacted trees and the ground in a wooded area near the runway. All of the biplane's wing surfaces were fragmented during the accident and the fuselage came to rest nose down. The airplane was powered by a converted automobile engine. Examination of the airplane revealed that the ignition high voltage coil wire had separated from the coil. The coil wire was re-inserted into the coil and the engine was able to be started.

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN11CA047. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N768BA.