Laporte MXL II SPORT N4416Y

Summary

On 14 July 2001 at about 17:31 local time, a Laporte MXL II SPORT registered N4416Y was involved in an accident near Gaines Twp., Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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

14 July 2001 at 17:31

Classification

Accident

Location

Gaines Twp., Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Purdy Field (PVT)

Coordinates

42.9097, -83.9800

Aircraft

Laporte MXL II SPORT

Registration

N4416Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Duffield → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI01LA213

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's poor planning which resulted in foreign object damage to the propeller, and the low altitude at which the loss of power occurred which resulted in the pilot not being able to properly flare the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the fractured propeller blade which resulted in vibrations and the subsequent separation of the carburetor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane experienced a hard landing following a loss of engine power while manuevering. The pilot was throwing candy out of the aircraft to a group of children on the ground who were attending a fly-in. The pilot reported the "pusher propeller sustained serious damage due to ingested candy. Severe vibration caused by shattered propeller instantly caused separation of rear carb causing air filter to further damage propeller and killing engine due to loss of fuel." The pilot reported the only open area for a forced landing was almost directly below the aircraft and ahead of it. The pilot reported, "From approximately 50 feet altitude and 38 mph indicated airspeed nosed plane straight down into only possible open area avoiding all spectators." The airplane impacted the terrain approximately 100 feet off the end of the runway.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.