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The pilot of an experimental biplane experienced loss of power resulting in an off airport landing. Power loss later traced to ingestion of foam air filter element.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 895588 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201006 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Experimental |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Climb |
| Route In Use | None |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Intake Assembly |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Engineer Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor Maintenance Airframe Maintenance Inspection Authority Maintenance Powerplant |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30 Flight Crew Total 18500 Flight Crew Type 10 Maintenance Inspector 22 Maintenance Technician 26 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
Conditions were clear skies with light and variable winds. Aircraft is an experimental/amateur-built biplane. [I] departed the runway at the aircraft home base for a local flight. Aircraft condition [was] excellent and engine [was] operating within all prescribed perimeters; engine run-up as part of the before takeoff checks showed no signs of any anomalies. Takeoff was normal operations with engine producing normal takeoff power when at approximately 350 feet AGL heading 270 degrees the engine suddenly and completely stopped running. Off to our left there was a bean field with the rows in the right direction. I made an approximately 135 degree turn to the left and lined up with the rows. I was a bit high and accomplished a left side slip to position the airplane for an off field landing. The landing was uneventful and the aircraft sustained no damage (not even a scratch). My training was sufficient to handle the situation as I remembered to check fuel and ignition and after quickly determining no help; I shut off the fuel and closed the mixture in case the airplane went over on its back. After assessment review of the incident we determined that the air filter which is a modified brackett type needed a retaining screen which would have prevented the ingestion of the foam element into the carburetor thus any starving the engine of proper airflow. The aircraft has 98 hours total time and has been flying since 2001 without other notable problems. This problem was simply the result of a design defect that will be rectified.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: The pilot of an experimental biplane experienced loss of power resulting in an off airport landing. Power loss later traced to ingestion of foam air filter element.
Narrative: Conditions were clear skies with light and variable winds. Aircraft is an Experimental/Amateur-built Biplane. [I] departed the runway at the aircraft home base for a local flight. Aircraft condition [was] excellent and engine [was] operating within all prescribed perimeters; engine run-up as part of the before takeoff checks showed no signs of any anomalies. Takeoff was normal operations with engine producing normal takeoff power when at approximately 350 feet AGL heading 270 degrees the engine suddenly and completely stopped running. Off to our left there was a bean field with the rows in the right direction. I made an approximately 135 degree turn to the left and lined up with the rows. I was a bit high and accomplished a left side slip to position the airplane for an off field landing. The landing was uneventful and the aircraft sustained no damage (not even a scratch). My training was sufficient to handle the situation as I remembered to check fuel and ignition and after quickly determining no help; I shut off the fuel and closed the mixture in case the airplane went over on its back. After assessment review of the incident we determined that the air filter which is a modified Brackett type needed a retaining screen which would have prevented the ingestion of the foam element into the carburetor thus any starving the engine of proper airflow. The aircraft has 98 hours total time and has been flying since 2001 without other notable problems. This problem was simply the result of a design defect that will be rectified.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.