Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW94LA081

BRAZORIA, TX, USA

Aircraft #1

N21RC

CANNON STARDUSTER II

Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. THE PILOT CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD BESIDE THE AIRPORT. THE LANDING WAS HARD AND CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. INSPECTION REVEALED FUEL TANK SEALANT THROUGHOUT THE FUEL FEED SYSTEM.

Factual Information

On February 3, 1994, at 0915 central standard time, a Cannon Starduster II, N21RC, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing due to a partial power loss. The pilot was not injured, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for this personal flight which was on initial climb following takeoff from Brazoria Air Park, Texas. According to the pilot, pre takeoff checks were normal and the engine began running rough at approximately 150 feet above ground level. The pilot said he could not land on the remaining runway and decided to land in an open field beside the airport. The pilot stated that the landing was "hard" and caused damage to the propeller, firewall, right wing, and landing gear. The engine was examined by an FAA inspector who found fuel tank sealant throughout the fuel feed system.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE TECHNIQUE DURING THE FORCED LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE FUEL CONTAMINATION INDUCED PARTIAL POWER LOSS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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