Pilot Debrief

WORTHINGTON DONALD WAYNE SONERAI II LT near Highlands Ranch, CO — 2014-03-29

Final reportCEN14FA173
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Date
2014-03-29
Location
Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
Airport
APA
Aircraft
WORTHINGTON DONALD WAYNE SONERAI II LT
Registration
N63917
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of control during a forced landing following a loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to postimpact fire damage.

NTSB narrative

On the morning of the accident, the pilot terminated his first flight early due to a fuel leak in the fuel tank sight gauge. The pilot made a repair before taking off for a second flight. During the second flight, witnesses reported seeing the airplane in distress and hearing the engine sputtering as it approached an open field. The airplane overflew a set of power lines before rolling and impacting terrain, consistent with the pilot reducing the airspeed in an attempt to clear the power lines during a forced landing and subsequently stalling the airplane. The majority of the airplane fuselage and cockpit were consumed by a postimpact fire. Flight control continuity was verified from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces. Examination of the fuel system and engine were limited due to the fire damage, and a reason for the apparent loss of engine power could not be determined. The pilot hadn't flown in 10 years and had recently purchased the airplane. The pilot logged one flight with an instructor about 2 months before the accident, and he had not logged experience in the airplane type before the day of the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the second flight after the first flight's fuel gauge issue.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents13

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