NTSB Factual Report

On July 16, 2003, at 1600 central daylight time, a Mikoyan MIG-15BIS vintage Russian military airplane, N15PE, was substantially damaged when it overran the runway during an aborted takeoff following a loss of engine power at the Adams Field Airport (LIT), near Little Rock, Arkansas. The airline transport pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight being conducted under the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight to Bloomington, Indiana. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the 12,450-hour pilot, while the airplane was approximately 10 feet above the runway, the airplane "shook," the engine lost power, and the airplane settled back onto the 5,126-foot runway. The pilot abort the takeoff; however, he was unable to stop the airplane on the remaining 1,000-foot of runway. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, impacted the airport perimeter fence, and came to rest in a field.

An air traffic control (ATC) tower operator, reported seeing a "puff of smoke" coming from the engine about the same time the airplane became airborne.

The pilot reported to that the flight was en route to Dayton, Ohio, where the airplane was scheduled to participate in an annual air show. The airplane's 540 gallons fuel system was topped-off during the intermediate refueling stop at LIT. The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 239-flight hours in the airplane.

Based on an elevation of 262 feet, a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of Mercury, the investigator in charge (IIC) calculated the density altitude to be 3,009 feet.

An examination of the airplane by FAA inspectors, who responded to the accident site, revealed no external signs of engine damage. The airplane received structural damage to the leading edge of both wings. There was no fire and some fuel was spilled at the accident site. A fuel sample was taken from the airplane and no sign of fuel contamination was found. The fuel from the refueling truck was also found to be within specifications.

The Korean war vintage fighter had accumulated a total of 3,108 hours. The Klimov engine had accumulated a total of 1,464 hours, with 832 hours since its last major overhaul. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons.