14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, April 22, 2012 in Pearland, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/11/2014
Aircraft: BUMFORD-ROYER CHRISTEN EAGLE II, registration: N80BH
Injuries: 1 Serious.
NTSB investigators may have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The airplane’s engine experienced a total loss of power during initial climb, and the pilot subsequently attempted to turn back toward the airport but was unable to reach the airport or a suitable forced landing area. The airplane impacted trees and terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. A large fuel spill occurred, but no postimpact fire ensued. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that a B nut attaching the fuel supply line was only “finger tight” and was able to be loosened with finger pressure. Further, evidence of dye from a fuel stain was observed near the loose B nut. A review of maintenance records revealed that maintenance had recently been performed in that area of the engine; however, when the insufficient torque was applied to the B nut could not be determined.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
A loose B nut on the fuel inlet line due to maintenance personnel’s application of insufficient torque on the nut at an unknown time, which resulted in a fuel leak and a subsequent total loss of engine power during initial climb.
On April 22, 2012, about 1620 central daylight time, a Bumford-Royer, Christen Eagle II, N80BH, impacted terrain during initial climb at Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ), Pearland, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Cottonwood Motors of Santa Fe, and operated by the pilot, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. At the time of the accident the airplane was departing from LVJ for a local flight.
A witness said the airplane was near the north end of the runway and had climbed to about 300 to 400 feet above ground level when they heard a loss of engine power. Other witnesses reported hearing popping or sputtering soon after the airplane became airborne. After the total loss of engine power the pilot attempted a left turn back toward the airport, but was unable to reach a suitable forced landing area. The airplane impacted trees and the bank of a drainage ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Emergency responders reported there was a substantial fuel spill, but no postimpact fire.
A J. P. Instruments EDM-700 panel-mounted engine monitoring system was removed from the wreckage and examined at the National Transportation Safety Board Recorders Laboratory in Washington, DC. Data downloaded from that unit showed that engine fuel flow (FF) increased about 6 minutes and 50 seconds after the recorded data began, corresponding to the application of takeoff power. There was a decrease in FF and EGT about 30 seconds later which corresponded to the loss of engine power. Data ended after a total of 7 minutes and 30 seconds.
A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that a "B nut" attaching the fuel supply line to the flow divider was found "finger tight." Further, there was evidence of dye from a fuel stain in the lower surface of the engine crankcase in the area of the fuel supply line. There had been recent maintenance performed in that area of the engine.
NTSB Identification: CEN12LA253
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, April 22, 2012 in Pearland, TX
Aircraft: BUMFORD-ROYER CHRISTEN EAGLE II, registration: N80BH
Injuries: 1 Serious.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On April 22, 2012, about 1620 central daylight time, a Bumford-Royer, Christen Eagle II, N80BH, impacted terrain after takeoff from Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ), Pearland, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Cottonwood Motors of Santa Fe, and operated by a private individual, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. At the time of the accident the airplane was departing from LVJ for a local flight.
A witness said the airplane was taking off and had climbed to about 300 to 400 feet above ground level (AGL) when the witness heard a loss of engine power. It appeared the pilot attempted a 180 degree turn back to the airport. The airplane impacted trees and the bank of a drainage ditch before coming to rest upright.
PEARLAND, Texas – Life Flight was called to the scene of a small plane crash in Brazoria County Sunday afternoon.
It happened around 3:45 p.m. at the Pearland Regional Airport, just south of Dixie Farm Road, near CR 127.
Pearland firefighters and EMS found the crash site on the northwest corner of the airport.
Police said there was only one person onboard the plane, the 55-year-old pilot.
Investigators believe he may have experienced power failure to his engine shortly after taking off.
The pilot tried to turn back around and get to a runway, but he didn’t quite make it. The plane clipped some trees in a wooded area just beyond the runway and slammed into a creek bed.
Paramedics said the pilot was conscious when they arrived, but he had suffered some head injuries.
He was airlifted to the hospital, but was expected to survive.
Investigators were waiting on the FAA to come out to the scene to determine exactly what happened.
The pilot’s identity was not released.
A single-engine plane reportedly crashed into trees in the Pearland area Sunday afternoon, injuring the pilot.
A 55-year old man suffered head injuries after the plane crashed at Clover Field Airport in Brazoria County.
The man, the only occupant of the plane, was flown by LifeFlight to Memorial Hermann hospital in the Texas Medical Center.
The investigation will be handled by the Brazoria County Sherrif’s Department and Texas DPS, said Lt. Onesimo Lopez, public information officer for the Pearland police department.
PEARLAND, Texas – Life Flight was called to the scene of a small plane crash in Brazoria County Sunday afternoon.
It happened around 3:45 p.m. at the Pearland Regional Airport, just south of Dixie Farm Road, near CR 127.
Pearland firefighters and EMS responded to the scene and found the crash site on the northwest corner of the airport.
Police said there was at least one person in the plane, a 55-year-old man, who suffered head injuries. His condition was not known, and it was not immediately clear what caused the plane to go down.
PEARLAND, TX (KTRK) -- A pilot was injured Sunday afternoon when his plane went down in Pearland.
It happened around 3:45pm just south of Dixie Farm Rd. near County Road 127.
According to Pearland police, the single-engine plane crashed in some trees on the northwest corner of Pearland Regional Airport.
Authorities said the 55-year-old pilot suffered head injuries. Life Flight was called to the scene. He was taken to area hospital in unknown condition.
Officers have not said if he was the only person on board or what may have caused the crash.
The incident is under investigation by the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
