TUMWATER, WA, USA
N70JV
VADEN SA102 CAVALIER
SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF, THE EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE REACHED 150 FT AGL WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. THE ENGINE REGAINED FULL POWER MOMENTARILY; HOWEVER, WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN A LEFT TURN, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED THE LEFT TURN WHICH INCREASED TO A SPIN. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN LEFT WING LOW ALTITUDE. DURING THE ENGINE EXAMINATION THERE WERE NO NOTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. AIRPLANE DOCUMENTATION SUGGESTS THAT BOTH AN ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP AND AN ELECTRICAL AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP BE INSTALLED. THE PILOT HAD INSTALLED ONLY AN ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF FOLLOWING AN ENGINE LOSS OF POWER. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER WAS NOT DETERMINED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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