Pilot Debrief

JAMES WIEBE BELITE PIPPER near Anchorage, AK — 2018-05-24

Final reportANC18LA038
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Date
2018-05-24
Location
Anchorage, AK, USA
Airport
LHD
Aircraft
JAMES WIEBE BELITE PIPPER
Registration
N3748
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Go-around

Probable cause

An inadequate fuel supply to the engine, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he was conducting a postmaintenance flight in the experimental amateur-built airplane in the traffic pattern. While landing, he applied full throttle to go around, but when the airplane was about 150 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. During the forced landing, the airplane landed long, bounced, descended into a fence, and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The engine had been altered from its original state by the addition of an after-market, high-displacement cylinder/piston kit to increase performance and horsepower of the engine. The kit, as installed, replaced the crankshaft, camshaft, engine gaskets, cylinders, and pistons. The pilot stated that he had been discussing with the kit manufacturer a problem with fuel flow to the engine and, thus, altered the fuel supply system with larger fuel lines. No modifications were made to the carburetors. Because the carburetors were not altered, it is likely that the engine was not receiving enough fuel for full power operation, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during the go-around attempt.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have ensured adequate fuel flow before the flight after maintenance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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