Liteflite DRAGONFLY MODEL C N799HG

Summary

On 31 July 2021 at about 13:53 local time, a Liteflite DRAGONFLY MODEL C registered N799HG was involved in an accident near Middletown, New York, 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

31 July 2021 at 13:53

Classification

Accident

Location

Middletown, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Randall (06N)

Coordinates

41.4319, -74.3916

Aircraft

Liteflite DRAGONFLY MODEL C

Registration

N799HG

Category

Airplane

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Glider Tow

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA21LA310

1 person was seriously injured.

The improper installation of the carburetor, which resulted in a momentary total loss of engine power during initial climb. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane following the initial power loss.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The tow pilot reported that the first flight of the day was to check for convective activity and was uneventful. After a hang glider was hooked up to the airplane, the pilot performed a normal takeoff. During the initial climb, the engine lost total power about 50 ft above ground level and although the pilot immediately lowered the airplane’s nose, he stated that “there was too much drag from the tow line and the airplane stalled and pancaked to the ground.” The hang glider pilot reported that when he noticed slack in the town line, he disconnected, and landed safely. The engine subsequently regained power and the airplane impacted the ground and was substantially damaged during the subsequent ground loop and impact with a parked snowplow. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that a clamp securing one of the two carburetors was loose, and its anti-vibration spring was found disconnected. This condition may have led to erratic engine performance including sputtering, surging, and loss of power. No other mechanical discrepancies were discovered during the examination. Based on this information, it is likely that the loss of engine power was due to the discrepancies noted with the carburetor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.