Prendergast SEAWIND N8190J

Summary

On 14 June 1999 at about 17:30 local time, a Prendergast SEAWIND registered N8190J was involved in an accident near Martinsburg, West Virginia, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 June 1999 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Martinsburg, West Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Eastern W Virginia Reg (MRB)

Coordinates

39.4602, -77.9694

Aircraft

Prendergast SEAWIND

Registration

N8190J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC99LA141

Nobody was injured.

The air-intake's inner liner separating from its outer liner, which blocked airflow to the fuel servo, resulting in a loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the owner/builder's inadequate inspection of the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane's engine started on the first attempt, and ran 'smoothly.' The pilot then taxied the airplane short of the runway, and completed the run-up checks. No anomalies were noted. He then taxied onto the runway, advanced the throttle, and scanned the engine instruments. No deficiencies were observed, so the pilot executed the takeoff. After retracting the flaps, and reaching about 500 feet agl, the pilot executed a left turn to stay within glided distance of the airport. Approximately 30 degrees through the turn, the airplane experienced a loss in power. The propeller continued to windmill, but the engine did not responded to throttle movements. With insufficient altitude to reach the runway the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. Examination of the engine revealed that the inner liner of the air-intake had separated from the outer liner, blocking airflow to the fuel servo.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.