Andre MINI MAX 1500R N962JA

Summary

On 3 September 2001 at about 17:15 local time, a Andre MINI MAX 1500R registered N962JA was involved in an accident near Chesapeake, 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

3 September 2001 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Chesapeake, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Hamton Roads Executive Airport (PVG)

Coordinates

36.8007, -76.4204

Aircraft

Andre MINI MAX 1500R

Registration

N962JA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Saluda → Chesapeake

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC01LA220

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to follow the engine manufacturer's descent procedure, which resulted in a lean mixture condition and subsequent engine seizure.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot descended from 5,500 feet to 1,500 feet, at a moderate cruise power setting, at 5,500 rpm. About 1,500 feet above the ground, the two cycle 2-cylinder engine lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The pilot believed that the descent at cruise power created a lean fuel/air mixture. Examination of the engine revealed scoring on both pistons, which was directly in line with the exhaust. According to a representative from the engine manufacturer, that type of failure was indicative of a heat seizure, normally associated with an excessive exhaust gas temperature, exceeding 1200 degrees F. The representative assumed that the engine was operating in a lean condition. According to the manufacturer's engine manual, during cruise and descents, it was very important that to avoid creating a lean mixture condition with high rpm and low throttle opening. Additionally, the manual warned that the engine was subject to sudden stoppage, and conformed to no aircraft standards.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.