Pilot Debrief

KOLB FIRESTAR near Durham, NC — 2020-12-11

Final reportERA21LA075
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Date
2020-12-11
Location
Durham, NC, USA
Airport
8NC8
Aircraft
KOLB FIRESTAR
Registration
N7094T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as the result of a degraded fuel primer check valve.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that about 20 minutes into the flight, at an altitude about 500 ft above ground level, the engine started losing power. The pilot noted no anomalies on the engine monitoring system, but his attempts to increase engine power were unsuccessful, and he chose to conduct a forced landing in a lake. During the landing flare, the wheels contacted the water surface and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted and submerged. Examination of the airplane following recovery from the lake revealed that the fuel primer bulb was missing a spring on the fuel inlet check valve, which prevented the check ball from seating properly. This likely blocked the incoming fuel and thereby resulted in fuel starvation and the total loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have returned to the departure airport after initial power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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