Czech Sport Aircraft PiperSport, N802PS: Accident occurred April 22, 2020 at Logan-Cache Airport (KLGU), Utah

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.

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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah

802PS Aircraft Leasing LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N802PS

Location: Logan, UT

Accident Number: WPR20LA145

Date & Time: April 22, 2020, 11:10 Local 

Registration: N802PS

Aircraft: Czech Sport Aircraft Sport Cruiser

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On April 22, 2020, about 1110 mountain daylight time, a Czech Sport Aircraft SportCruiser, N802PS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the Logan-Cache Airport, Logan, Utah. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The student pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was for him to make his second solo cross-country. He departed from South Valley Regional Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah about 0900 and completed two practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in Ogden, Utah. Thereafter, the pilot continued to Logan where he completed a full stop and shut down the engine. After a short time he started the engine, and during the run-up procedure he performed a magneto check, at which time the engine momentarily experienced a total loss of power. The pilot shut down the airplane and tried again after speaking with his instructor on his cell phone. During the second engine start, he thought that the fuel pump sounded much louder than usual and he shut the engine down. On the third engine start, the fuel pump remained louder than normal, and he noticed that the fuel pressure was fluctuating within the normal range, but would temporarily drop to 1.8 psi when he turned on the avionics. The fuel pressure recovered to 3.5 psi and he completed a normal engine runup.

The pilot further stated that he taxied to runway 28 and proceeded to depart. As the airplane reached about 50 to 100 feet above ground level (agl), the engine surged and he noticed that the fuel pressure had decreased to 1.0 psi (flashed red). He retarded the throttle and attempted to land straight ahead because he thought there was enough runway remaining. The airplane touched down hard, bending the left landing gear. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the fuselage.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Czech Sport Aircraft

Registration: N802PS

Model/Series: Sport Cruiser 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built: No

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KLGU,4454 ft msl 

Observation Time: 17:51 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C /-2°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 8000 ft AGL

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / 18 knots, 300°

Lowest Ceiling:

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Logan, UT (LGU)

Destination: Salt Lake City, UT (U42)

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: 41.791667,-111.851669 (est)