Pilot Debrief

AVID MARK IV near Payette, ID — 2021-10-13

Final reportWPR22LA014
Sign in to save
Date
2021-10-13
Location
Payette, ID, USA
Aircraft
AVID MARK IV
Registration
N583DM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of an outlet screen on the fuel system header tank.

NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot was conducting a local flight in an experimental airplane and during cruise flight about 1,000 ft above ground level, the engine began to intermittently lose power. He activated the fuel pump and shortly thereafter the engine shut down. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to land in a cultivated field. The airplane was substantially damaged when it nosed over during the landing roll. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane’s header tank did not have an outlet screen installed and the fuel selector valve contained a large quantity of debris. It is likely the debris, from the fuel tank construction and/or repairs, entered the fuel selector valve from the header tank, resulting in fuel starvation to the engine and the subsequent loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel system for debris before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

Related mishaps