Primary finding
Probable cause
The total loss of engine power during takeoff following a touch-and-go landing for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airline transport pilot was performing touch-and-go landings. The preflight, run-up, and takeoff were all normal. The pilot reported that, after the first landing, she added power to take off, and once there was no usable runway remaining, she raised the landing gear. At 100 ft above ground level, the engine went silent. The pilot picked a clear area to fly toward and lowered the landing gear. Witnesses stated that the airplane landed hard, bounced, and then landed again. The airplane subsequently impacted a trailer and a large pole and then came to rest inverted. During the accident sequence, the right wing was separated from the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 2, 2014, at 1630 mountain standard time, a Nanchang CJ-6A, N4350D, lost engine power and landed hard at Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona. The airplane was registered to Lang Aviation Support Services, LLC, and was operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local personal flight. The airline transport pilot and single passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that she intended to perform touch-and-goes in the landing pattern. The preflight, run up, and takeoff were all normal. After the first landing, she added power to takeoff, and once there was no usable runway remaining, she raised the landing gear. At 100 feet above ground level, the engine went silent. The pilot picked a clear area to fly towards and lowered the landing gear. Witnesses stated that the airplane landed hard, bounced, landed a second time, impacted a trailer, a large pole, and then came to rest inverted. During the accident sequence the right wing was separated from the fuselage. First responders shut off the fuel and magneto switches. On December 16, 2014, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and a certified airframe and power plant mechanic examined the airplane and engine. The engine crankshaft was rotated, and the carburetor, fuel pump, and spark plugs were examined. The fuel pump and carburetor contained fuel. Nothing that would have precluded normal engine operation was identified.