Quest KODIAK 100 N10PZ

Summary

On 11 August 2013 at about 10:45 local time, a Quest KODIAK 100 registered N10PZ, operated by Paxton Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Westport, Massachusetts, United States. 5 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 August 2013 at 10:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Westport, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Friends Field Airport (MA07)

Coordinates

41.5706, -71.1214

Aircraft

Quest KODIAK 100

Registration

N10PZ

Category

Airplane

Year built

2010

Engines

1

Operator

Paxton Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Westport → Orange

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13LA360

1 person had minor injuries.

A failure to achieve a positive climb rate after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During departure from the 1,635-foot-long turf runway, the airplane impacted rocks and trees past the runway end. The pilot reported that he could not recall the events of the accident. One of the four passengers reported that he heard the engine advance to takeoff power "normally" and that he believed that the airplane became airborne before impact. Review of the manufacturer's performance data revealed that, given the atmospheric and loading conditions on the day of the accident, the distance required to take off and clear a 50-foot obstacle was about 920 feet. Examination of the flight control system revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the engine revealed significant circumferential rubbing, frictional heat discoloration, and material smearing signatures in the power section consistent with the presence of engine power at the time of impact. In addition, the compressor discharge air (P3) line pneumatic "B" nut fitting at the fuel control unit was visibly loose, and the "B" nut could be moved by hand. Further examination revealed that the No. 4 gearbox bolts and washers had been pulled from their threaded seats, likely during the impact sequence. The engine operated normally during postaccident functional checks. To determine the effect of the loose "B" nut fitting on the engine operation, the P3 line was manually manipulated to simulate takeoff vibrations, and the fitting was loosened to the extent possible; however, neither action affected the engine operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.