Accident Cessna T-50 N45P,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 44870
 
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Date:Friday 7 May 2004
Time:14:00
Type:Cessna T-50
Owner/operator:private
Registration: N45P
MSN: 6294
Engine model:Jacobs L4
Fatalities:Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Sharon, MA -   United States of America
Phase: Approach
Nature:Private
Departure airport:South Dartmouth, MA
Destination airport:Amesbury, MA (6MA0)
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The pilot/mechanic purchased the floatplane about 7 months prior to the accident, and performed his own maintenance. When the airplane was de-fueled and lifted by crane onto the bay, the weight was calculated as 5,790 lbs. The certificated maximum gross takeoff weight of the airplane was 5,700 lbs. On the day prior to the accident, during high-speed taxis, the left engine only developed partial power. The pilot had the spark plugs cleaned and gapped. That evening, he was able to complete a short flight, in ground effect over the water. On the day of the accident, the airplane completed two high-speed taxis or attempted takeoffs, but did not become airborne. On the third attempt, the airplane traveled 3,000 to 4,000 feet on the water, before becoming airborne, and barely cleared a 20-foot-tall building by about 10 feet. Subsequently, witnesses near the accident site heard banging, sputtering, engine misfires, and popping, before the airplane struck trees near a lake. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left propeller was in the feather position, and the right propeller blades were bent aft, with little to no rotational damage noted. However, the left mixture, propeller control, and throttle control were in the full forward position. The right throttle control was about 3/4 closed, the right propeller control was in the feather position, and the right mixture was full forward. Further inspection revealed that both fuel tanks contained adequate fuel. The aircraft logbooks were not recovered, and the date of the last annual inspection was unknown. Prior to having the airplane lifted onto the bay, the date of the last successful flight was also unknown.
Probable Cause: The loss of power in one engine for undetermined reasons. Factors were the excessive weight, and degraded climb performance.

Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: NYC04LA118
Status: Investigation completed
Duration:
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB: https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20040512X00593&key=1

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
28-Oct-2008 00:45 ASN archive Added
21-Dec-2016 19:24 ASN Update Bot Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency]
07-Dec-2017 18:02 ASN Update Bot Updated [Departure airport, Source, Narrative]
24-Feb-2021 21:08 TB Updated [Operator, Damage]

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