On July 19, 2016, about 1000 Alaska daylight time, a tail-wheel equipped, Aeropro CZ A220 airplane, N151J, sustained substantial damage following a loss of directional control during takeoff from an unimproved airstrip about 5 miles south of McCarthy, Alaska. The certificated private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight was planned from the airstrip to the Wasilla Airport (IYS), Wasilla, Alaska.
The pilot stated that while attempting to takeoff, shortly after raising the tail of the airplane, a partial power loss occurred. While attempting to maintain directional control, the power loss ceased, and full power returned. The pilot was unable to input the correct amount of rudder pressure quickly enough to compensate for the increase in left turning tendencies resulting in the airplane impacting surrounding terrain and sustaining substantial damage to the wings, tail and fuselage.
A video of the attempted takeoff shows that during the takeoff sequence, as the tail lifts, sound changes consistent with engine surging can be heard. This occurs three times during the takeoff roll before directional control is lost. The video is located in the public docket for this accident.
The aircraft was equipped with a Rotax 912 ULS engine with a dual carburetor system. The 1/3 carburetor was associated with cylinders 1 and 3, while the 2/4 carburetor was associated with cylinders 2 and 4.
A postaccident examination revealed that the throttle valve lever on the 1/3 carburetor was bent inwards and made contact with the carburetor chamber top. The throttle control was actuated inside the cockpit several times, and would eventually push the throttle valve lever past the point of contact on the carburetor chamber top. The throttle valve lever would travel just off the idle stop prior to contacting carburetor chamber top, resulting in the 1/3 carburetor near the idle position during the point of contact, as shown in this photo.
Figure 1: 1/3 carburetor contacting the chamber top
The throttle valve lever on the 2/4 carburetor was in good condition and did not make contact with the carburetor chamber top. The throttle control was actuated inside the cockpit several times and it would reach its full travel from idle stop to the full throttle stop position. No anomalies were found with the 2/4 Carburetor.
A postaccident engine test run was performed with the engine still mounted on the accident airplane's airframe. The engine was not run at full power due to impact damage sustained to the propeller, but it was operated at various idle power settings. The effects of the throttle valve lever on the 1/3 carburetor making contact with the carburetor chamber top was inconclusive during this test run. However, the run verified the engines ignition, fuel, oil and coolant systems were operating normally. The engine run revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A second engine test took place in Vernon B.C, Canada on February 2nd under the direction of the NTSB. A different Rotax 912ULS engine was mounted on an engine test stand with a calibrated propeller. The 1/3 carburetor throttle valve lever was modified to duplicate the 1/3 carburetor throttle valve lever that was found on the accident engine. The 1/3 carburetor throttle valve lever was bent inward to make contact with the carburetor chamber top. The engine was run at various power settings prior to applying full power. The 1/3 carburetor throttle valve lever stuck against the chamber top, the engine ran rough and would not accelerate to maximum RPM.
The 1/3 carburetor throttle valve lever was then manually pushed forward past the point of contact on the carburetor chamber top resulting in a burst of engine power, immediately followed by a smooth running engine at maximum RPM. This scenario was consistent with video evidence obtained by the NTSB during the investigation.
The closest weather reporting facility is Valdez Airport, Valdez, Alaska, about 98 miles southwest of the accident sire. At 0956, a METAR was reporting in part: wind from 080° at 16 knots, gusting to 21 knots; sky condition, clear; visibility, 10 statute miles; temperature 77° F; dewpoint 48° F; barometric pressure 29.88 inches of mercury.