Amateur-built Falco F.8L accident near Ashland, Ohio, July 7, 2003
On July 7, 2003 at about 5:00 pm local time, a amateur-built Falco F.8L, registered N33LW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ashland, Ohio (Ashland County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to the failure of the engine air intake duct tubing, which resulted in a total blockage of the induction inlet duct. A factor related to the accident was the inadequate 100-hour inspection by maintenance personnel. (This narrative was modified on January 26, 2005.)
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 2003 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Ashland, Ohio · Ashland County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Falco F.8L
- Registration
- N33LW · no longer on the register · serial 1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
As the airplane was climbing, about 100 feet above the ground, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a grass field with the landing gear retracted. Upon touchdown, the airplane slid to a stop and came to rest upright. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the engine air intake duct tubing had lost its internal support spring structure strength, allowing the tube casing to be sucked inward, which restricted the air intake. The most recent annual inspection performed on the airplane was completed on May 10, 2003. According to 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D - Scope and Detail of Items (as Applicable to the Particular Aircraft) To Be Included in Annual and 100 Hour Inspections, "Each person performing an annual or 100 hour inspection shall inspect (where applicable) components of the engine and nacelle group..." (This narrative was modified on January 26, 2005.)
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 355 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 580 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 10, 2003
- Maximum gross weight: 1,880 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3G4 Ashland OH at 5:00 pm
- Destination: JHW Jamestown NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 3,502 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,600 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 5:52 pm from MFD
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.