Pilot Debrief

AMSTUTZ CURTIS J BD-5B near Portland, IN — 2017-05-26

Final reportCEN17LA205
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Date
2017-05-26
Location
Portland, IN, USA
Airport
PLD
Aircraft
AMSTUTZ CURTIS J BD-5B
Registration
N604KA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A failure of the wiring between the engine control unit and the fuel injector, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot, who was the builder of the airplane, stated that the purpose of the test flight was to obtain rate of climb data on the airplane, which had recently been completed. Following the sixth climb of the flight, the engine began to run rough. The pilot turned back toward the airport and entered the traffic pattern, and the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot determined that the airplane would not reach the runway and performed an off-airport landing in a field. The field was soft and contained high vegetation, which resulted in a ground loop during landing. The pilot noted that, during the flight, the No. 1 cylinder exhaust gas temperature and cylinder head temperature had dropped, indicating that the No. 1 cylinder was not firing properly. It was after the No. 1 cylinder quit firing that the No. 2 cylinder also quit firing. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the wire in the No. 1 cylinder connector between the engine control unit and the fuel injector was not properly crimped at the connector, which allowed the wire to be pulled back. In addition, a wire to the No. 2 connector was found broken where the wire had been spliced. This wire most likely separated at the spliced area due to engine vibrations after the No. 1 cylinder ceased operating.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked engine connections before flight to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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