Pilot Debrief

CZECH AIRCRAFT WORKS SPOL SRO SPORTCRUISER near La Quinta, CA — 2010-01-25

Final reportWPR10LA119
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Date
2010-01-25
Location
La Quinta, CA, USA
Aircraft
CZECH AIRCRAFT WORKS SPOL SRO SPORTCRUISER
Registration
N243SC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A loss of engine power during cruise flight due to water contamination in the fuel.

NTSB narrative

The pilot conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane, which included taking samples of fuel from the airframe fuel sump drains. He noted no evidence of water within these fuel samples. While en route to his destination, the pilot decided to switch the fuel supply to come from the left tank rather than the right, in an effort to remedy a slight fuel imbalance. Shortly after changing the tank selection, the engine experienced a total loss of power. Despite multiple attempts, the pilot was unable to restart the engine and initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. The pilot stated that, due to a headwind, he was unable to reach his original intended landing area and decided on a second field, closer to his position. As the airplane approached the field, it stalled and landed hard. During a postaccident examination of the airframe, investigators applied compressed air to both the left and right wing fuel inlet lines and observed a small amount of liquid originating from the engine inlet fuel line at the firewall. The liquid was tested using water finding paste with positive results. No additional anomalies were noted with the airframe that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the engine revealed that the engine-driven fuel pump contained residual liquid. The liquid was tested using water finding paste with positive results. In addition, the carburetors were examined and disassembled; a white paste-like and flaky substance was noted within both carburetor float bowls. One carburetor float bowl contained about two ounces of a milky white liquid, which tested positive for water. The engine was installed on an engine test stand and run at various rpm settings before being shut off using the mixture control lever. No additional anomalies were noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation and production of power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained fuel tank selection to avoid power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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