Pilot Debrief

RANS S 5 near Lodi, CA — 2016-05-23

Final reportWPR16LA122
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Date
2016-05-23
Location
Lodi, CA, USA
Airport
1O3
Aircraft
RANS S 5
Registration
N481TJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of a pinched fuel line. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s maneuvering just before landing, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that, during cruise flight in the experimental light sport airplane, he encountered moderate turbulence. Shortly thereafter, the engine experienced a total loss of power. Following an uneventful landing in an open field, the pilot found that a fuel line was pinched between his seat and the fuselage. After repositioning the fuel line, he was able to start the engine and took off to return to the airport. While in the airport traffic pattern, his seat shifted, and the engine lost power a second time. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby road; however, just before touchdown, the pilot "banked hard left" to avoid hitting a vehicle on the road. The airplane subsequently experienced an aerodynamic stall and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel line located behind the pilot's seat could be compressed by hand. Movement of the seat allowed for the fuel line to be pinched, resulting in an interruption of fuel flow to the engine. After installing a new propeller, a test run of the engine was completed with no anomalies observed.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have secured the fuel line before takeoff to prevent engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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