Near EFATO North of Cincinnati

[cavuman1]

This pilot has been injured but will survive. From what little accurate information I am able to glean from our collection of dullards known as media, engine failure occurred shortly after takeoff, then the pilot executed a 180 and almost stretched his glidepath back to the active runway. I cannot tell from the photos and videos (to which I link below) if the craft is a Cherokee, an homebuilt, or something else. An FAA N-Number inquiry on N6550 returned no rational results. Can any PPRUNers make a positive ID? Here's hoping the pilot makes a rapid recovery!

- Ed

Butler County, Ohio Accident

[7AC]

Looks like a Grumman AA1 to me.

[DaveReidUK]

Grumman American Aviation AA-1B Trainer 2 N6550L

[Airbubba]

N6550L, a 1974 Grumman American AA1-B, C/N: AA1B-0350.

Aircraft N6550L (1974 Grumman American AA-1B Trainer C/N AA1B-0350) Photo by Steve Nation (Photo ID: AC197286)

[cavuman1]

Positive ID

Gentlemen - you are absolutely correct! I believe much of the damage in and around the cockpit is attributable to the rescuers' efforts. I didn't realize that this aircraft was the original BD-1 design from Jim Bede. Thank you for your detective work.

- Ed

[AmarokGTI]

What’s a “Near EFATO”?

[Airbubba]

Originally Posted by AmarokGTI

What’s a “Near EFATO”?

EFATO is a common acronym for Engine Failure After Takeoff.

For example:

https://www.caa.govt.nz/fig/circuit-...after-takeoff/

Engine Failure After Takeoff (EFATO) - AviationKnowledge

Perhaps the 'near' part means that the power loss was not total?

[AmarokGTI]

Originally Posted by Airbubba

EFATO is a common acronym for Engine Failure After Takeoff.

For example:

https://www.caa.govt.nz/fig/circuit-...after-takeoff/

Engine Failure After Takeoff (EFATO) - AviationKnowledge

Perhaps the 'near' part means that the power loss was not total?

I know what EFATO means, (my background is instructing, charter, and regional airline flying) but the “near” bit doesn’t make sense. Partial power loss and EFATO are different. I’ve never heard of anyone calling it a “near EFATO”. Partial power loss strangely often harder to manage as most people train for / expect the engine to completely stop if something goes wrong)

[cavuman1]

My Mistake!

My phraseology of "near EFATO" is based on my hazy understanding of the acronym meaning Engine Failure At Takeoff instead of AFTER takeoff. My 69-year-old brain cells seem to enjoy playing clever tricks on me! I was attempting to convey the fact that this flight had sufficient power post-rotation to climb to an altitude where the pilot thought he could return to the active runway. I do not know at what altitude he lost power, nor do I know whether or not the failure was complete or partial. I suppose EFATO is like pregnant. You is or you ain't - no in between! Thanks for bringing my nomenclature Charlie Foxtrot to my attention.

- Ed

p.s. Link to more recent story. Apparently the engine failure was total and occurred almost immediately after takeoff. The witness has an amusing lack of command of the Queen's English.

Grumman AA1-B Accident

[Andrewgr2]

The airport has seen very few crashes and very few engines, Mercer said. He said the Butler County Regional Airport has a great safety record.

Does this mean the airport has seen very little flying? 😉 or maybe it’s a gliding site?