Fuel Contamination: Just JA30 Superstol, N2463H, accident occurred July 02, 2017 in Ponca City, Kay County, Oklahoma

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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/N2463H

Location: Ponca City, OK
Accident Number: CEN17LA251
Date & Time: 07/02/2017, 1430 CDT
Registration: N2463H
Aircraft: CODY HAWKINS JA30 SUPERSTOL
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel contamination
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The private pilot was conducting a local flight in an experimental airplane. During takeoff, the pilot thought that the airplane's performance was sluggish. The pilot indicated that the airplane started to lose lift, so he reduced the control stick input. He maneuvered the airplane around trees, but the airplane continued to descend, so the pilot decided to land. The airplane made a hard landing, causing the airplane's landing gear to collapse because it was sideloaded, and the airplane then skidded into a tree.

During a postaccident examination, a repair station noted contamination in one of the fuel jets and both carburetors. After replacing the fuel jet and cleaning the carburetors, the engine produced normal power. The cause of the contamination could not be determined.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
Contamination of the fuel system, resulting in a partial loss of engine power and subsequent off-airport landing. 

Findings

Aircraft
Fuel - Fluid condition (Cause)
Fuel injector nozzle - Damaged/degraded (Cause)
Fuel control/carburetor - Damaged/degraded (Cause)

Environmental issues
Tree(s) - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

On July 2, 2017, about 1430 central daylight time, an Cody Hawkins JA30 SuperSTOL airplane, N2463H, collided with trees and terrain near Ponca City, OK. The private rated pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was departing from a private field at the time of the accident.

According to information provided by the pilot, during the initial climb, the airplane's performance felt sluggish. The pilot added that the airplane started to lose lift, so the he reduced back stick pressure. The pilot maneuvered around trees and descended into terrain. The airplane's landing gear was side-loaded during the landing and collapsed. The airplane then slid to a stop. Substantial damage was sustained to the fuselage and wings.

The Rotax 914 UL2-01 engine was transported to a repair facility to be returned to service. The mechanic reported that when he functionally tested the engine, it run "rough." Further inspection of the engine found a fouled fuel jet and contaminants in the carburetors. The source of the contaminants could not be determined. After the cleaning the carburetors and replacing the idle jet, the engine produced normal power.

History of Flight

Takeoff
Fuel contamination (Defining event)
Loss of engine power (partial)

Landing
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 38, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/19/2013
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/02/2017
Flight Time: 877 hours (Total, all aircraft), 43 hours (Total, this make and model), 877 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 121 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 47 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CODY HAWKINS
Registration: N2463H
Model/Series: JA30 SUPERSTOL NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2017
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: JA483-1-16
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/12/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 70 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 56.1 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: 914 UL2-01
Registered Owner: HAWKINS CODY
Rated Power: 115 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PNC
Observation Time: 1453 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 33°C / 21°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots, 130°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Ponca City, OK (PRIV)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Ponca City, OK (PRIV)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: Personal airstrip (PRIV)
Runway Surface Type: Dirt; Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 1010 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 170
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1200 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  36.654167, -97.085556 (est)