Summary
On August 13, 2022, a Thomas Wayne L THOMAS' FLYER (N35WT) was involved in an accident near Searsmont, ME. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: A total loss of engine power during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined.
On August 13, 2022, about 1400 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Thomas Flyer, N35WT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Ridgeview Airport (12ME), Searsmont, Maine. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, this was the first flight of the airplane in 5 years. An aviation mechanic flushed the fuel tanks several times to ensure they were clean and just approved the condition inspection. After making several engine run-ups, the pilot taxied to the active runway and took off. As the airplane climbed between 300 and 500 ft above the ground, the engine sustained a “very brief” stutter, then failed completely.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA22LA372. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N35WT.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A total loss of engine power during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On August 13, 2022, about 1400 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Thomas Flyer, N35WT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Ridgeview Airport (12ME), Searsmont, Maine. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, this was the first flight of the airplane in 5 years. An aviation mechanic flushed the fuel tanks several times to ensure they were clean and just approved the condition inspection. After making several engine run-ups, the pilot taxied to the active runway and took off. As the airplane climbed between 300 and 500 ft above the ground, the engine sustained a “very brief” stutter, then failed completely. The pilot completed a 180° turn back to the runway; however, after the turn the airplane did not have enough altitude to make it back to the runway and it impacted rough terrain. The airplane’s fuselage and wings were substantially damaged.
Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and an airframe and powerplant mechanic did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Damage to the propeller prevented the engine crankshaft from turning 360°; however, valvetrain continuity was observed during the crankshaft’s partial rotation. The spark plugs were removed and showed normal wear signatures. The carburetor had separated from the engine and a trace amount of debris was observed in the bowl. Examination of the fuel tanks revealed 15 gallons of fuel in the left tank and approximately 5 in the right tank. The right fuel tank was breached and leaking fuel at the accident site. The pilot stated that he took off with the fuel selector positioned on the left fuel tank position.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA22LA372