Primary finding
Probable cause
A partial loss of engine power due to a compromised induction system.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot was attempting to take off on the experimental, amateur-built airplane's first flight. When the airplane was about 30-50 ft in the air, the engine experienced a partial loss of power and the pilot landed on the remaining runway. The airplane landed hard, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the engine revealed several air leaks in the induction system, including the vacuum takeoff port cap on the carburetor and the rudder seal on the left induction manifold adapter. It is likely that the compromised induction system resulted in the partial loss of engine power.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 1, 2017, about 1920 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Nieuport 28 airplane, N6165, experienced a loss of engine power on takeoff and collided with terrain near Boonville, Missouri. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a test flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.According to information provided to the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector by the pilot, the flight was the first for the airplane since built. The pilot had ground-run the engine a couple days prior to the flight. On the day of the accident, the pilot reported that he took off with about 18 gallons of fuel. When the airplane was about 30-50 ft above ground level, the engine "sagged." He pulled the mixture and landed straight ahead on the remaining runway. The landing was "rough" and the airplane landed hard resulting in a collapse of the landing gear. The airplane nosed over resulting insubstantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. Examination of the engine by the FAA inspector revealed several air leaks in the induction system to include the vacuum takeoff port cap on the carburetor and the rudder seal on the left-hand induction manifold adapter.