Yakovlev YAK 52 N69GC

Summary

On 13 July 2002 at about 21:10 local time, a Yakovlev YAK 52 registered N69GC was involved in an accident near Matawan, New Jersey, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 July 2002 at 21:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Matawan, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Marlboro Airport (2N8)

Coordinates

40.3661, -74.2544

Aircraft

Yakovlev YAK 52

Registration

N69GC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Matawan → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC02FA138

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's excessive maneuvering and failure to maintain aircraft control, following a partial power loss during the initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. A factor in the accident was an inadequate annual condition inspection performed by the certificated mechanic.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that there were no discrepancies during the taxi, run-up, and takeoff roll. The airplane initially climbed approximately 20 degrees nose-up, and began to bank left. About 200 feet above the ground, the pilot and passenger heard a "bang," and the airplane continued to roll left. The airplane then spun to the right, and impacted a wooded area in a nose-down attitude. Examination of the wreckage revealed that a portion of the wooden propeller was almost entirely embedded in an approximate 3-inch diameter tree branch. The number nine front spark plug was found ejected from the engine. A burned torch mark was present on the underside of the cowling, in the vicinity of the number nine cylinder. Additionally, three other spark plugs were found loose in their cylinders. Review of maintenance records revealed that an annual inspection was performed on the airplane about 1 month prior to the accident. During the inspection, the spark plugs were cleaned, gapped, and rotated. Since the inspection, the airplane had flown approximately 30 minutes. The emergency procedures checklist, for the same make and model as accident airplane, included setting a descent attitude following an engine failure. Review of FAA publications regarding accelerated maneuver stalls, revealed that an airplane will stall at a higher indicated airspeed when excessive maneuvering loads are imposed by steep turns, pullups, or other abrupt changes in flightpath.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.