Aeromarine Merlin Lite | N622PC
April 2nd, 2024 | Mulberry, Florida
Accident Location
- City: Mulberry
- State: Florida
- Latitude: 27.931275
- Longitude: -82.041907
- Airport ID: X49
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N622PC
- Make: Aeromarine
- Model: Merlin Lite
- Aircraft Category: Glider
- Amateur Built: Yes
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Canning, Arthur
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age: 76
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: No
- Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
- IFR Rating: No
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: None
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: April 2nd, 2024
- Time: 9:45 AM Local Time
- Day / Night: Day
- VMC / IMC: VMC
- Phase Of Flight: Takeoff
- Total People Onboard: 1
- PIC Fatality: 1
- PAX Fatalities: 0
- Ground Fatalities: 0
- Total Fatalities: 1
- NTSB No: ERA24FA160
- NTSB Travel: Yes
- AQP Classification: 11) LOTOT, U-FIT
Probable Cause
DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot suffered an engine failure immediately after takeoff, at around 100-150 feet AGL, but reacted improperly by raising aircraft pitch and beginning a turn. The aircraft immediately stalled and entered a one half turn spin, impacting on the field nearly vertical.
NTSB: NONE
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft become educated and conditioned for proper pilot response when dealing with AQP 11, Loss of Thrust On Takeoff (LOTOT). Conditioning only comes through repeated and recurrent practice of an immediate lowering of pitch, wings level, and land straight ahead. The DTSB recommends frequent AQP conditioning for all AQP scenarios.
NTSB: NONE
DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.