Friday, March 09, 2018

Loss of Engine Power (Partial): Lancair Legacy, N60JN, accident occurred March 08, 2018 near Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport (KTPL), Temple, Bell County, Texas

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 


Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 
 
http://registry.faa.gov/N60JN




Location: Temple, TX
Accident Number: CEN18LA118
Date & Time: 03/08/2018, 1045 CST
Registration: N60JN
Aircraft: Bereznak Lancair Legacy
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Business 

Analysis 

After leveling off at 9,500 ft, the airline transport pilot switched the fuel selector from the right to the left fuel tank of the experimental, amateur-built airplane. He noticed a change in the sound of the engine, a decline in fuel flow, and a partial loss of engine power. He switched back to the right fuel tank and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump, but this did not correct the problem. Realizing that he would not be able to glide to a nearby airport, the pilot made a forced landing in a plowed field. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation. The fuel selector was found separated just below the selector handle, and the selector valve was found in the 90-percent-closed position. The fuel selector assembly showed extensive wear. It is likely that the fuel selector separated with the valve in an intermediate position when the pilot changed the fuel selector handle position, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the nearly closed fuel valve. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The failure of the fuel selector valve in a nearly closed position, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Findings

Aircraft
Fuel selector/shutoff valve - Fatigue/wear/corrosion (Cause)
Fuel selector/shutoff valve - Not serviced/maintained (Factor)

Personnel issues
Scheduled/routine inspection - Maintenance personnel (Factor)



Factual Information

On March 8, 2018, about 1045 central standard daylight time, a Bereznak Lancair Legacy, N60JN, experienced a partial loss of engine power while in cruise flight at 9,500 feet, and the pilot made a forced landing in a plowed field one-mile northwest of Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport (TPL), Temple, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. His passenger was not injured. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by a, Airborne Legacy, LLC, Austin, Texas, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at and about the time of the accident. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin, Texas, and was destined for Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), Dallas, Texas.

In his accident report the pilot said that after levelling off at 9,500 feet, he switched from the right to the left fuel tank to maintain balance. He noticed a change in the sound of the engine and a decline in fuel flow (the airplane was not equipped with a fuel pressure gauge). He switched back to the right fuel tank and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump, but this did not correct the problem. During the approach to TPL, manifold pressure was registering but airspeed was decreasing. The pilot advanced the throttle slightly, then applied full throttle. The engine did not respond. Realizing he could not glide to TPL, the pilot made a forced landing in a plowed field.

On April 4, 2018, the engine was examined at the facilities of Air Salvage of Dallas (ASOD), Lancaster, Texas. The engine was intact, undamaged, and remained attached to the airframe. No discrepancies were found that would have prohibited the production of rated horsepower.

The fuel selector handle was separated just below the handle selector. The two "U" joints and the drive shaft were intact. The selector valve was found in the 90 percent closed position. The fuel selector assembly was extensively worn. 

History of Flight

Enroute-cruise
Loss of engine power (partial) (Defining event)

Emergency descent
Off-field or emergency landing

Landing-landing roll
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)



Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Commercial; Private
Age: 57, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/08/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/29/2017
Flight Time:  3900 hours (Total, all aircraft), 185 hours (Total, this make and model), 3650 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 11 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)



Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: Bereznak
Registration: N60JN
Model/Series: Lancair Legacy
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: L2K-263
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/02/2017, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2700 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 34 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 310 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-550-N
Registered Owner: Airborne Legacy, LLC
Rated Power: 310 hp
Operator: Airborne Legacy, LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KTPL, 682 ft msl
Observation Time: 1051 CST
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 135°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C / -1°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots, 150°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.26 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Austin, TX (KAUS)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Dallas, TX (KDAL)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1030 CST
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Draughon-Miller Central TX Reg (TPL)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 682 ft
Runway Surface Condition:
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 31.000000, 97.000000 (est)



Location: Temple, TX
Accident Number: CEN18LA118
Date & Time: 03/08/2018, 1045 CST
Registration: N60JN
Aircraft: Bereznak Lancair Legacy
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Business 

On March 8, 2018, about 1045 central standard daylight time, a Bereznak Lancair L2K-263, N60JN, sustained a partial loss of engine power while in cruise flight at 9,500 feet, and the pilot made a forced landing in a plowed field 1-mile northwest of Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport (TPL), Temple, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger was uninjured. The airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed near and about the time of the accident. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin, Texas, and was destined for Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), Dallas, Texas.

The pilot said he advanced the throttle, but the engine did not respond. He said the engine sounded different in pitch, but there was no banging or popping. He observed a drop in fuel flow; the airplane was not equipped with a fuel pressure gauge. The pilot attempted but was unable to glide to TPL. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: Bereznak
Registration: N60JN
Model/Series: Lancair Legacy L2K-263
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held:  None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KTPL, 682 ft msl
Observation Time: 1051 CST
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C / -1°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction:  7 knots, 150°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.26 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Departure Point: Austin, TX (KAUS)
Destination:  Dallas, TX (KDAL) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 






A single-engine plane with engine problems was forced to land in a field in the 14,600 block of State Highway 317 just before 11 a.m. Thursday, according to Temple Fire & Rescue.

Two people were on board the aircraft, but their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, according to Temple Fire & Rescue Spokesperson Thomas Pechal.

Emergency vehicles responded to the scene, where they found the plane upright. There was no fire or fuel leakage, Pechal said.

Drivers on SH 317 were urged to slow down and use caution when driving past the area.

Original article can be found here ➤  http://www.kcentv.com




TEMPLE, TX (KXXV) - The Temple Fire and Rescue spokesperson Thomas Pechal said in a press release, two people are ok after a single-engine plane made an emergency landing on Thursday morning in Temple. 

The plane landed in a field in the 14,600 block of state highway 317 around 11 a.m. 

Two people were aboard and only received non-life threatening injuries. 

The plane is upright, there is no fuel leaking and no fire. 

Original article can be found here ➤  http://www.kxxv.com

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