The Airplane Experienced A Partial Loss Of Engine Power Several Seconds Later At 70 Knots

Location: Mountain City, TN Accident Number: ERA22LA186
Date & Time: April 7, 2022, 13:10 Local Registration: N6688S
Aircraft: Henry L Berrier Jr Arion Lightning LS-1 Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On April 7, 2022, about 1310 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Arion Lightning LS-1, N6688S, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mountain City, Tennessee. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot stated that prior to flight, the airplane was completely fueled, and he performed a preflight inspection with no anomalies noted. The airplane departed on runway 24 at Johnson County Airport (6A4), Mountain City, Tennessee. Runway 24 was 4,498 ft long and consisted of asphalt. The engine was at full power and the pilot rotated the airplane at 53 knots, but the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power several seconds later at 70 knots. The pilot was not sure that he could land on the remaining runway and immediately turned the right fuel tank to on and the engine rpm increased significantly.

Within seconds, the engine again lost almost total power and he elected to keep the airplane on the runway heading to clear several obstacles at the end of the runway. The pilot attempted a forced landing in a field but had to pull-up to clear a fence. The airplane subsequently landed hard in the field and collided with a creek bed, resulting in substantial damage to the forward fuselage.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov