Jackson TOP DOG N214AB

Summary

On 19 May 2012 at about 14:30 local time, a Jackson TOP DOG registered N214AB, operated by Helman Michael, was involved in an accident near Apple Valley, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 May 2012 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Apple Valley, California, United States

Coordinates

34.5719, -117.1853

Aircraft

Jackson TOP DOG

Registration

N214AB

Engines

1

Operator

Helman Michael

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Apple Valley → Apple Valley

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12LA217

1 person was seriously injured.

A loss of engine power during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because the anomalies revealed during the postaccident examination would not have necessarily precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance, which failed to detect existing anomalies in engine-related systems.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that during the initial climb after takeoff, the engine stopped producing power. During his attempt to turn toward a nearby road for an emergency landing, the airplane descended rapidly into the terrain. In addition to a number of minor anomalies associated with the engine, the postaccident examination revealed three anomalies (cracked carburetor sockets, an incorrectly installed fuel pump, and an incorrectly calibrated high altitude corrector) that had the potential to contribute to a loss of engine power. However, because none of the three noted anomalies would necessarily have led to the engine stoppage, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.