Pilot Debrief

TUMBLING GOOSE LLC 12S near Zellwood, FL — 2016-07-11

Final reportERA16LA251
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Date
2016-07-11
Location
Zellwood, FL, USA
Airport
FL97
Aircraft
TUMBLING GOOSE LLC 12S
Registration
N867TG
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during descent for reasons that could not be determined because impact damage precluded a complete examination of the fuel servo.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that this was his second flight in his newly manufactured, experimental exhibition airplane. Earlier in the morning, the pilot flew the airplane for 30 minutes over the airport to become familiar with the airplane and noted no anomalies. Several hours later, the pilot departed again to perform aerobatics. While returning to the airport, he reduced power to descend, and once the airplane was at the desired altitude, he advanced the throttle, but the engine did not respond. He then looked at the engine monitor and noted that the engine had lost total power. The pilot noticed a positive indication of fuel pressure, and he used the primer switch, which bypassed the fuel servo, to restart the engine. Once he released the switch, the engine again lost power. The pilot added that, when the airplane was over the airport, he set up for landing, but he believed that the airplane was going too fast to land, so he used the primer switch to develop engine power and perform a go-around maneuver. During the next approach, the pilot slowed the airplane, and once over the runway, he flared for landing. The airplane continued to fly about 10 ft above ground level (agl) down the length of the runway. The pilot tried using the primer switch again to perform another go-around maneuver, but about 200 ft agl, the engine lost total power. He then tried to perform a forced landing to a clearing but impacted trees and terrain before the clearing. Postaccident examination of the engine confirmed engine control and fuel system continuity up to the fuel servo. The fuel servo could not be tested due to impact damage; therefore, the cause of the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted for a landing sooner after first engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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