The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Marshall, Michigan
Accident Number: CEN20LA216
Date & Time: June 7, 2020, 15:13 Local
Registration: N827WS
Aircraft: Team 1600R
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Factual Information
On June 7, 2020, about 1513 eastern daylight time, a Team Mini-Max 1600R airplane, N827WS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Marshall, Michigan. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, the engine lost total power during initial climb after departing from a campground area. The pilot made a forced landing into a cornfield, which damaged both wing struts.
During the flight prior to the accident, the pilot noticed engine roughness that discontinued after he turned the fuel pump on. The pilot inspected the airplane after landing but was not able to find a rationale for the engine roughness.
Following the accident, examination of the engine revealed that the fuel supply line to the inlet fitting of the vacuum driven fuel pump was loose on the fitting. Although the clamp on the inlet fitting had been tightened to its maximum clamping position, the fuel supply line was still loose on the fitting and without a proper seal it was possible for air to enter the fuel system.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 25, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: July 17, 2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: October 24, 2019
Flight Time: 62 hours (Total, all aircraft), 5 hours (Total, this make and model), 21 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Team
Registration: N827WS
Model/Series: 1600R No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2017
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special); Experimental light sport (Special)
Serial Number: 08162017CJS
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: June 7, 2020 Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 560 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 0 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 447
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 40 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRMY, 941 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 14:55 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 79°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 10°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Marshall, MI (PRIV)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Marshall, MI (PRIV)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 15:12 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 42.245834,-84.991111
a vacuum operated fuel pump is connected with a vacuum hose to the engine intake manifold where it gets its suction. It works due to the unevenness of the vacuum found with the fluttering or pulsation in the intake drawing fuel thru seperate fuel hoses from the tank(s) thru the fuel filter and to the engine.
ReplyDeleteTwo stroke engine. Not sure if above explanation is accurate.
ReplyDelete