NTSB WRONGLY BLAMES THE PILOT FOR THIS CRASH

The NTSB published its improbable “Probable Cause “ determination on this crash and concluded wrongly that pilot error caused the crash.

What the NTSB could not and did not explain was why both propellers showed idle power at impact.

The reason is simple and had the investigation been thorough the NTSB would have known that an engine likely failed which will cause an Islander like this airplane to do a roll in the direction of the failed engine at a speed below minimum control airspeed known as VMCA. VMCA in this airplane is 50 knots which is a speed recorded by ADSB and GPS during this crash.

Of course, with all that drag from this very aerodynamically dirty airplane maintaining speed above VMCA is very difficult especially in turbulent conditions and this pilot didn’t have any altitude to trade for airspeed because the flight was conducted at 1500 feet.

The final thing a pilot will do is pull back on the throttle of the good engine so the airplane does not roll and that’s likely why both propellers show idle power signatures.

It is not clear from the report whether the NTSB opened and examined the carburetor of either engine to see whether we’ll-known defects in those fuel air controlling devices contributed to a loss of power.

The factual report is silent on that subject which from experience usually means they just punted on that critical part of the investigation. The manufacturer of the engines, Avco Lycoming was a “party participant” invited by the NTSB to “help” it determine the cause of the accident.

The Wolk Law Firm is not involved in litigating this accident.

Arthur Alan Wolk

11/13/24