Plane crash map Locate crash sites, wreckage and more

N4031 accident description

Minnesota map... Minnesota list
Crash location 44.997500°N, 92.855556°W
Reported location is a long distance from the NTSB's reported nearest city. This often means that the location has a typo, or is incorrect.
Nearest city St. Paul, MN
44.953081°N, 93.110676°W
12.8 miles away
Tail number N4031
Accident date 28 Nov 2009
Aircraft type Krusmark David Homer Searey
Additional details: None

NTSB Factual Report

On November 28, 2009, at 1145 central standard time, a Krusmark Searay experimental light-sport airplane, sustained minor damage during an aborted takeoff from Lake Elmo Airport, St. Paul, Minnesota. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant and registered owner, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated he was planning on flying the airplane in the traffic pattern to practice takeoffs and landings. During takeoff from runway 32 (asphalt; 2,850 feet long by 75 feet wide), the engine never reached full power, and the pilot aborted the takeoff approximately 18 feet above the runway. During the attempted landing, the pilot initiated a steep bank turn in order to avoid an airport perimeter fence. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained minor damage to the left main landing gear, fuselage, and composite propeller. The pilot sustained fractures to two vertebrae in his neck and back.

A review of the airplane's maintenance records showed the airplane underwent its most recent conditional inspection on November 1, 2008. The airframe and engine had accumulated 273 total hours.

Examination of the E81 Subaru engine by a local mechanic and the pilot revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was test run with a slave propeller and the engine developed normal power and RPM. The reason for the loss of partial engine power during takeoff could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff during the takeoff roll when he became aware of the engine not producing full power.

© 2009-2020 Lee C. Baker / Crosswind Software, LLC. For informational purposes only.