Pilot Debrief

SPECTRUM RX 550 near Hartland, ME — 2011-09-01

Final reportERA11CA500
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Date
2011-09-01
Location
Hartland, ME, USA
Aircraft
SPECTRUM RX 550
Registration
UNREG
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that, while on a local flight, he was circling a field when the engine stopped running. He then executed a forced landing to the field, which was not uniformly level. During the landing the right wing hit the ground and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest upside down. The pilot stated that he believed that water got into the gasoline, which caused the engine to stop running. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the wing was substantially damaged. No registration number was present on the airplane and no data plate was present on either the airplane or the engine. Review of Federal Aviation Administration records revealed that the airplane was not registered and the pilot was not certificated. The FAA also advised the NTSB that no maintenance records were recovered.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel quality before flight to prevent water contamination.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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