Event BFO94LA012

Factual narrative

On Tuesday, November 16, 1993, at 0930 eastern standard time, N687EA, an Angel Quickie 200 homebuilt airplane, owned and operated by Elbert Angel of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, lost engine power during cruise flight about 2 miles southeast of Quonset State Airport, North Kingston, Rhode Island. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was destroyed. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot, he stated that he had completed a successful run-up check before departing on runway 34. After departure, the pilot stated that he made a right turn as he intended to practice various maneuvers over the water. At an altitude of about 1500 feet above the ground and over the bay, the pilot stated that he noticed the propeller was not turning, and that he had lost engine power. He stated that he established a glide speed of 90 mph and tried to return to the airport, but due to insufficient altitude the airplane crashed into the bay. The airplane was retrieved from the bay and an examination was conducted by the FAA. According to the FAA, the examination did not disclose any evidence of mechanical malfunction. THE PILOT OF HIS HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE STATED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED A SUCCESSFUL RUN-UP CHECK AND THEN HE DEPARTED RUNWAY 34 TO PRACTICE VARIOUS MANEUVERS OVER THE WATER. HE STATED THAT HE MADE A RIGHT TURN AFTER TAKEOFF, AND AS THE AIRPLANE WAS 2 MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1500 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, HE NOTICED THE PROPELLER WAS NOT TURNING, AND THAT HE HAD LOST ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ESTABLISHED A GLIDE SPEED OF 90 MPH AND TRIED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, BUT DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN THE BAY. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE FAA DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12