Gross Michael E STOL CH 701 N4931M

Summary

On 14 October 2015 at about 19:45 local time, a Gross Michael E STOL CH 701 registered N4931M was involved in an accident near Eufala, Alabama, 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

14 October 2015 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Eufala, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

Weedon Field (EUF)

Coordinates

31.9514, -85.1289

Aircraft

Gross Michael E STOL CH 701

Registration

N4931M

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Eufala → Hermann

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA16LA014

Nobody was injured.

A partial loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined, because postaccident examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. Also causal was the pilot's decision to continue the takeoff following the loss of power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot had purchased the airplane a day earlier and, while flying it back to his home airport, stopped at an en route airport to refuel. The pilot stated that, about midfield during the takeoff, the engine began to run roughly and vibrate, was not producing full power, and the flight controls "got mushy." Shortly after the takeoff, at an altitude of 50 ft, the airplane veered to the left, impacted the ground, and nosed over. The pilot noted that the airplane took longer to take off due to a crosswind; however, weather recorded at the airport 13 minutes after the accident included calm winds. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.