NTSB Factual Report

On September 9, 2001, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt replica of a Jenny, N176TP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Morrisdale, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries, and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that departed the Albert Airport (1NS), Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he kept the airplane at a private airstrip near Kylertown, Pennsylvania. He arrived at the airstrip about 1330 on the day of the accident. He preflighted the airplane, and added approximately 3 gallons of fuel, bringing the total to approximately 8 gallons. He then boarded. The engine started on the first attempt, and the pilot taxied the airplane to the west runway for departure. Once on the runway, the pilot advanced the throttle, the engine responded, and after a ground-roll of approximately 300 feet, the airplane was airborne. The airplane climbed to approximately 800 feet agl, for the short trip to the Albert Airport.

The pilot executed left traffic for the east runway. While on final, he did not feel the airplane was in a position to land because of a crosswind from the south, so he performed a go-around, and then made left traffic for a second attempt, which was successful. The airplane touched down and the pilot taxied to the far end of the airport to pick up a passenger. The pilot exited the airplane with the engine running. He then briefed and loaded his passenger. The pilot taxied the airplane for an easterly departure. Once on the runway he advanced the throttle. The engine responded, and within 300 feet the airplane was airborne. After tracking runway heading for about 1/2 mile, the pilot turned the airplane into the wind to improve climb performance. "Shortly" after completing the turn, and while approximately 400 feet agl, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot lowered the nose to maintain airspeed, and executed a 180-degree turn because the only forced landing area was a cornfield behind the airplane.

While proceeding towards the cornfield, the pilot was concerned that the airplane might not clear some power lines bordering the field, so he elected to proceed directly to the field, and land with a tailwind. Once past the power lines, the pilot momentarily thought about trying to maneuver the airplane a little to reduce the tailwind component, but decided against it. The pilot flew the airplane just above the cornfield, trading airspeed to maintain altitude. When the airplane started to stall, the pilot let it settle into the cornfield. The left wing contacted the corn first, which was approximately 10 feet tall. The nose dropped and the airplane impacted the ground nose low, and left wing down. The airplane then spun 180 degrees to the left and came to a stop upright. The total distance from when the airplane first contacted the corn until it came to rest was approximately 60 feet.

The engine was from a 1986 Subaru that was involved in an automobile accident. The engine had approximately 9,000 miles on it at the time of the automobile accident, and 93.6 flight hours in the accident airplane.

Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions except for a defective ignition coil.

According to FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-27D, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft, "the amateur-built program was designed to permit person(s) to build an aircraft solely for educational or recreational purposes. The FAA has always permitted amateur builders freedom to select their own designs. The FAA does not formally approve these designs since it is not practicable to develop design standards for the multitude of unique design configurations generated by kit manufacturers and amateur builders." It also stated, "Since 1983, FAA inspections of amateur-built aircraft have been limited to ensuring the use of acceptable workmanship methods, techniques, practices, and issuing operating limitations necessary to protect persons and property not involved in this activity."

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the ignition coil, which resulted in a loss of engine power. A factor was the 10-foot corn in the forced landing field.