Pilot Debrief

REDD TOM QUICKSILVER GT 400 near Oak Grove, LA — 2012-11-19

Final reportCEN13LA063
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Date
2012-11-19
Location
Oak Grove, LA, USA
Aircraft
REDD TOM QUICKSILVER GT 400
Registration
N4031Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power, the specific cause of which could not be identified during the postaccident examination, and the airplane’s subsequent impact with trees.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had recently purchased the light-sport airplane and was on his first flight in the airplane. A witness reported seeing the airplane disappear from sight; the engine sound stopped, and immediately heard a crash. Examination revealed that the airplane collided with a tree, before impacting the ground in a nose down, left wing low attitude. Additionally, the examination revealed the airplane was equipped with a ballistic parachute system; however, the safety pin was found still installed in the parachute's firing handle. The airplane was equipped with an electric fuel pump installed in series with the engine's fuel pump. The engine manufacturer's manual states the following: "If the fuel tank is considerably lower than the engine, an electric pump should be used; this pump is to be connected in parallel as in case of series-connection the fuel pressure would be excessive." The fuel pump installed on the engine was identified as one typically used on two stroke engines. The engine technician noted that this style pump does not have the bleed holes in it, and without these bleed holes, this style pump may hydro lock. The in-line fuel filter installed was a paper type filter and appeared dirty with contaminates in it. Additionally, the installation manual states the following: "A suitable fuel filter of 0.15 mm mesh size must be fitted between pump and carburetor. Do not use paper filters." Although, the examination noted these abnormalities, a specific reason for the loss of engine power was not identified; however, it is likely that one or more of these abnormalities resulted in the engine's loss of power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel system and parachute before first flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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