NTSB Factual Report

On November 24, 2006, at 1600 eastern standard time, a Tennyson Howard, Baslee DR-1 experimental airplane, N8092L, registered to a private individual and operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with trees while returning to land following a loss of engine power at the Macon Downtown Airport, Macon, Georgia. Visual meteorological condition prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The private pilot reported serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, he lined up on runway 10 for takeoff, applied full power, and climbed the airplane straight ahead to approximately 500 feet above ground level (agl) and turned crosswind. While on crosswind, he noticed the power was diminishing. He turned downwind, still at about 500 ft agl. At about three-fourths of the way on downwind, he turned the airplane toward runway 10. At this point, he stated that he was not going to be able to put it on the runway. He was losing altitude quickly and noticed that the only place to put down was in the woods just northwest of the airport. After impacting, he egressed the cockpit. Damage consisted of the wings, and empennage.

Examination of the airplane by an FAA Inspector found that the pilot had installed a sheet metal pan with baffles around and over the engine cylinders. The baffles directed ram air over the cylinders for cooling. However, by doing so he inadvertently blocked the carburetor from ram air. The pilot did not submit an NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator report.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot/owner's improper design change which resulted in a blocked carburetor inlet and a loss of engine power.