Snow QUICKIE 2 N240JS

Summary

On 22 July 2011 at about 12:30 local time, a Snow QUICKIE 2 registered N240JS was involved in an accident near Ashtabula, Ohio, 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

22 July 2011 at 12:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ashtabula, Ohio, United States

Nearest airport

Ashtabula County Airport (HZY)

Coordinates

41.7781, -80.6956

Aircraft

Snow QUICKIE 2

Registration

N240JS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jefferson → Ashtabula

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN11LA527

Nobody was injured.

The incorrect propeller pitch and lower-than-expected engine speed that did not allow the airplane to attain a proper climb rate during takeoff, and the subsequent hard landing that occurred when the pilot reduced power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was performing a takeoff as part of a phase 1 test flight after having attempted a previous takeoff that resulted in the airplane not being able to lift off. During the accident takeoff, the airplane was unable to achieve an out-of-ground-effect climb while the airplane's nose pitched up and down. The pilot aborted the climb by reducing power after which the airplane descended, bounced, and veered off the remaining runway. The pilot stated that the airplane engine speed only achieved 2,600 to 2,690 rpm during the test flight and not the expected speed of 3,300 to 3,400 rpm. He said that he thought the rpm would increase with full power and level flight; however, it did not. The pilot used different propeller installations on the airplane in attempt to achieve the desired engine speed. It is likely that an incorrect propeller pitch resulted in an increase in drag and a loss lower of engine speed than expected. According to the Experimental Light Sport Aircraft study, it states in part, “The Phase I flight test period is uniquely challenging for most pilots because they must learn to manage the handling characteristics of an unfamiliar aircraft while also managing the challenges of the flight test environment, including instrumentation that is not yet calibrated, controls that may need adjustment, and possible malfunctions or adverse handling characteristics…”

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.