Event NYC94LA140

Factual narrative

On July 24, 1994, at 0945 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Cuby B, N2282Z, owned and piloted by Joseph Marsilio, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during a forced landing after takeoff from the Waterbury Airport, Waterbury, Connecticut. The pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he had departed the southwest runway and was climbing out when the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to make a 180 degree turn back to the airport. According the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated to him that the engine failed shortly after lifting off runway 18. While the pilot was attempting to make the 180 degree turn, the airplane struck trees southeast of runway 36. The FAA Inspector conducted a post accident examination of the airplane. In his report he stated, "...The inspection was unable to find any visual sign of a mechanical defect that would have cause the engine to cease operation. The temperature and dew point conditions at the time of the accident were reviewed. According to the FAA-P-8740-24 Chart, Tips on Winter Flying, the conditions were conducive for moderate icing during cruise power, or serious icing in a powered glide. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT, BUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES. ACCORDING TO A CHART PUBLISHED BY THE FAA, THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE CONDUCIVE FOR MODERATE ICING DURING CRUISE POWER AND SERIOUS ICING DURING A POWERED GLIDE. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12